News
Chess season ends with rapid tournament at Bangor Chess Club
Last Thursday (2nd May) saw the last event of the season at Bangor Chess Club. A rapid tournament over 6 rounds attracted players aged 8 and above. Locals enjoyed mixing with players from Newry, Downpatrick, Mallusk, Belfast, Donaghadee, Millilse, Newtownards, Comber and even from Michigan in the USA.
List of league winners and board prizes for presentation at AGM on Saturday 25 May 2019 at 6:30pm
The 2019 UCU AGM is being held on Saturday 25th May 6:30pm at NCIS Pavilion. The presentation list for board prizes and league winners.
Bangor 2 seal Division 3 plate as QUB 3 withdraw
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 20) The Fruithill Ravens thought they were still in the Division 3 Plate race after a win over Ballynafeigh 3 - but the withdrawal of their Week 21 opponents means that Bangor 2 cannot now be caught.
Final Standings for the 2019 Childrens Chess Grandprix
With the April Childrens Chess completed we have the final standings for the 2019 Grandprix. The top four of each section get invited to Stormont for an award ceremony and Elite Chess Tournament.
Message from League Controller in relation to QUB 3 withdrawing from Division 3
Dear league players, unfortunately QUB 3 were unable to play their last 3 league fixtures due to exam season and had to withdraw from the league.
April Childrens Chess at Methodist College
Top chess youngsters play at Methodist College on April 13th 2019 - the last of the series of Childrens Chess afternoons.
Strand 1 confirmed as new league champs after win over QUB 1
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 19) Strand 1 have secured their first ever Silver King after a 3.5-1.5 victory at QUB 1.
Double Trouble at Groomsport Chess Tournament
Last Thursday (11 April), Teams of 2 battled it out in the first ever Doubles Rapidplay chess tournament in Groomsport.
Strand 1 close in on Silver King after week of closely-fought matches
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 18) Strand 1 were hoping for draws between their rivals in their free week to maintain their cushion as much as possible - they got one, as well as a pair of 3-2 scorelines in the other matches.
UCU Winter Tournament 2018-19
This popular event, hosted by Queen's University Chess Club and organised by Belfast South Chess Club, finished on 8 April along with prize-giving. As with previous years there were prizes not only for the overall Winner and Runner-up but also 3 Grading Band prizes. 2 Best Game prizes were also awarded.
Checkmate with honours
Last Thursday (4 April) Bangor Chess Club hosted a special simul match with 15 players taking on Division 1 player Brendan Jamison. However, the usual format had a creative twist! Brendan played without a queen on every board, challenging the local players to find the quickest checkmate.
Kings and queens battle at Royal School, Armagh
The first ever Armagh Rapidplay Chess Championships were held at the Royal School on Saturday 30 March. The event was run by the Ulster Chess Union (UCU) and kindly supported by the school headmaster Graham Montgomery.
Speed Chess Winners at Groomsport monthly rapidplay
Last Thursday (28 March), 11 local chess players scooped awards at the monthly rapidplay at Bangor Chess Club. An article by Brendan Jamison.
The Childrens Chess Grandprix Standings 2018/19
We have one tournament to go - April 13th. Who is on to win the Grandprix - the Belfast Scholastic Shields and be invited to Stormont by MLA Chris Lyttle for the special award ceremony and elite competition.
Imperious Strand 1 march on
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 17) Can anyone stop Strand 1 from claiming their first Silver King? The answer certainly isn't Civil Service, as they were thrashed 4.5-0.5 by the league leaders. Division 3 is looking a little tighter, as leaders Bangor 2 succumbed to the Fruithill Ravens.
Ulster Rapidplay Championships 2019 sponsored by Falls Bowling Club
The Ulster Rapidplay took place at its now regular and brilliant venue of Falls Bowling Club, also the home for Fruithill chess players, on Saturday 23rd March.
The second in the Alan Burns tournaments 2019
The second Lacksidasical in the Alan Burns Grandprix took place at the Civil Service Pavilion on 10th March 2019.
Storm Gareth blows Ballynafeigh 1 off course as he leads Kelly's Heroes to victory
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 16) In a week where the weather headlines were dominated by Storm Gareth, Kelly's Heroes had a Gareth of their own on board 1 as they dealt a hammer blow to Ballynafeigh 1's Silver King ambitions.
Children enjoying chess at Methodist College
Saturday 9th March and young chess enthusiasts gather to play and solve chess problems at Methodist College part of our monthly schools chess events.
