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 Ulster Rapidplay Championships 2019 sponsored by Falls Bowling Club

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.

Ulster Rapidplay Championships 2019 sponsored by Falls Bowling Club - Read More…

The second in the Alan Burns tournaments 2019

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.

The second in the Alan Burns tournaments 2019 - Read More…

Storm Gareth blows Ballynafeigh 1 off course as he leads Kelly's Heroes to victory

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.

Storm Gareth blows Ballynafeigh 1 off course as he leads Kelly's Heroes to victory - Read More…

Children enjoying chess at Methodist College

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.

Children enjoying chess at Methodist College - Read More…

National Club Championships and Irish International Open 2019

The National Club Championship 2019 takes place from April 5-7 in Gonzaga College, Dublin. The Irish International Open 2019 will then take place from April 17-22 in the same venue

National Club Championships and Irish International Open 2019 - Read More…

President Ross Harris Delivers Chess Simultaneous

President Ross Harris Delivers Chess Simultaneous

Last Thursday (14 March 2019), the President of the Ulster Chess Union, Ross Harris, delivered a special simultaneous match at Bangor Chess Club. While he won all his games, he was still very impressed by the level of newcomers and awarded three prizes at the end of the night.

President Ross Harris Delivers Chess Simultaneous - Read More…

Northern Lights clinch Strawbridge Cup

Northern Lights clinch Strawbridge Cup

(B&D League 2018/19 Week 15) The John Strawbridge Cup has a new name on it after Northern Lights convincingly saw off their nearest rivals QUB 2 to secure the Division 2 trophy with two matches to spare.

Northern Lights clinch Strawbridge Cup - Read More…

Spring Blitz Chess Animates Groomsport

Spring Blitz Chess Animates Groomsport

Last Thursday (7 March) Groomsport was buzzing with its monthly blitz chess tournament, a popular event that animates Groomsport Parish Hall with an exciting mix of local and visiting players. Reporter: Brendan Jamison.

Spring Blitz Chess Animates Groomsport - Read More…

Lisburn Chess Club hosted Blitz and Bullet Chess - February 23rd.

Lisburn Chess Club hosted Blitz and Bullet Chess - February 23rd.

On Saturday 23rd February Lisburn Chess Club hosted at the Lisburn Library 26 players from top players Steve Scannell and Sergio Esteve Sanchez to relatively new players James Wong and Taufik Kamal.

Lisburn Chess Club hosted Blitz and Bullet Chess - February 23rd. - Read More…

GM Luke McShane plays Belfast at Stormont Hotel - February 21st

GM Luke McShane plays Belfast at Stormont Hotel - February 21st

Top player Grand Master Luke McShane played 29 chess players ranging in age from 9 years and up. At the brilliant venue of the Stormont Hotel.

GM Luke McShane plays Belfast at Stormont Hotel - February 21st - Read More…

Players from USA and Poland flock to Groomsport for speed chess competition

Players from USA and Poland flock to Groomsport for speed chess competition

Last Thursday (21st February) saw a special gathering of players arriving for the Groomsport Rapidplay Chess Championships. With 15 minutes each on the clock, it was an exciting 5 rounds of super-fast mental gymnastics - report by Arbiter Brendan Jamison

Players from USA and Poland flock to Groomsport for speed chess competition - Read More…

Scholastic Chess at Methodist College Belfast. - February 9th 2019

Scholastic Chess at Methodist College Belfast. - February 9th 2019

Young Chess enthusiasts played an afternoon of chess and solved chess puzzles at Methodist College.A brilliant day of logical thinking.

Scholastic Chess at Methodist College Belfast. - February 9th 2019 - Read More…

Strand 1 come out on top in crunch match

Strand 1 come out on top in crunch match

(B&D League 2018/19 Week 14) Strand 1 took another big step towards their first Silver King after victory over their nearest rivals.

Strand 1 come out on top in crunch match - Read More…

Northern Lights stretch Division 2 lead

Northern Lights stretch Division 2 lead

(B&D League 2018/19 Week 13) Northern Lights go nine points clear in the Strawbridge Cup chase after beating Strand 2 while QUB 2 were beaten by Bangor 1. In Division 1, Ballynafeigh 1 have narrowed the gap slightly on Strand 1.

Northern Lights stretch Division 2 lead - Read More…

Newry Rapidplay Report - February 2019

Newry Rapidplay Report - February 2019

52 players flocked to Newry from across Ireland, both North and South, on a very cold February morning - a tournament celebrating the affiliation of the UCU to the ICU and kindly sponsored by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. - report by John Bradley

Newry Rapidplay Report - February 2019 - Read More…

Ballynafeigh 1 miss big opportunity to close gap

Ballynafeigh 1 miss big opportunity to close gap

(B&D League 2018/19 Week 12) Ballynafeigh 1 were held to a surprise draw by a makeshift QUB 1 side, while Strand 1's march to the Silver King continues unabated.

Ballynafeigh 1 miss big opportunity to close gap - Read More…

The Second in the series of Childrens Chess Tournaments

The Second in the series of Childrens Chess Tournaments

Top young chess players gathered at Methodist College on Saturday 12th January 2019 to play in the Second Childrens Chess Tournament of the season.

The Second in the series of Childrens Chess Tournaments - Read More…

Strand 1 stretch lead after dominant performance

Strand 1 stretch lead after dominant performance

(B&D League 2018/19 Week 11) Strand 1's lead in Division 1 stands at nine points after their 4.5-0.5 demolition of Civil Service, QUB 2 cut into Northern Lights' lead in Division 2, and Bangor 2 are the new leaders of Division 3.

Strand 1 stretch lead after dominant performance - Read More…

Gabor Horvath wins the Williamson Shield 2019

Gabor Horvath wins the Williamson Shield 2019

The weekend of January 19-20th 2019 was no regular weekend at the Stormont Pavilion in Belfast, as one of the most major chess events took place to kick off the new year. With 30 players ranging from children to seniors, the event had a vast range of both age and skill level. Tournament Report by Assistant Arbiter Adam Rushe

Gabor Horvath wins the Williamson Shield 2019 - Read More…

Ballynafeigh 1 hunted down by Hawks

Ballynafeigh 1 hunted down by Hawks

(B&D League 2018/19 Week 10) Ballynafeigh 1 suffered another setback as they were beaten by an under-strength Fruithill Hawks team.

Ballynafeigh 1 hunted down by Hawks - Read More…

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News
New Rapidplay Ulster Champion Crowned 28th February 2026 Fruithill Bowling Club hosted in its brilliant venue the annual Rapidplay Ulster Championship. Many thanks to the Club a... Mar 07, 2026
Ulster Chess Union Mourns the Passing of Damien Lavery Mar 02, 2026
Saturday 14th Feb 2026 and another brilliant monthly Childrens Chess Tournament. Youngsters from all over Ulster gathered at Methodist College to compete in an afternoon of Chess, a swiss tournament an... Feb 21, 2026
UCU Events Update – Remainder of the Season This has been a challenging year for UCU events; however, we have been fortunate to secure arbiters for events held so f... Feb 21, 2026
Standings of the Childrens Chess Grandprix after January 2026. The Ulster Chess Union runs monthly tournaments at Methodist College. All pupils are welcome to play. Five of these tour... Feb 07, 2026
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Upcoming Events
Women's Chess Day with special guest - WGM Trisha Kanyamarala Mar 08, 2026 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street
FIDE RATED Coalisland Blitz Championship 2026 Tuesday 10 March 2026. Check-in at 19:50 The 10 rounds will be played back-to-back from 20:00 to 22:30 Time-control 3-... Mar 10, 2026 07:50 PM - 10:30 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
Third Executive Board Meeting Agenda TBC Mar 10, 2026 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM — Lisburn Chess Club
March 14th 2026 Childrens Chess 12:30 – 5:00 UCU Monthly Schools Chess Tournaments Continues at Methodist College. Mar 14, 2026 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
FIDE RATED Black Mountain Rapid 2026 [event 2 of 10 in art & chess neurodiversity festival] The Chess neurodiversity festival continues. With second exciting event. Venue: Black Mountain Shared Space, 208 Ballyg... Mar 28, 2026 10:15 AM - 04:30 PM — Black Mountain Shared Space, 208 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, BT13 3NG
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