News
Belfast Chess Social to Host Christmas Tournament in Crumlin Road Gaol
Belfast Chess Social is set to host a major tournament in Crumlin Road Gaol on Sunday, December 8th, just in time for Christmas.
Ulster Masters - report by Brendan Jamison
55 players competed in the Ulster Masters 2024. With prizes worth £1020, everyone raised the bar to deliver a very high standard of chess. We also had chess royalty present, the Chair of the Irish Chess Union Desmond Beatty, delivering new chess equipment to some of our clubs.
The Monthly Childrens Chess continued on Nov 2nd 2024 at Methodist College
With perhaps our largest no of players the start of the Grandprix series of Childrens Chess began. The monthly series continues in December on the Saturday 7th at Methodist College with the Ulster Schools Championships.
£750 Prize pot for Ulster Masters Friday 15th-Sunday 17th Nov. Not too late to enter.
An exciting event. With 53 entrants, two sections and large prize money. Article by Brendan Jamison.
Belfast Chess Social host Rapid Tournament and FIRST EVER In-Person Blitz Tournament Played on Computers
Belfast Chess Social hosted two tournaments on Sunday, November 3rd, at Reboot Cafe in the Queen's Quarter area of the city. Article and Photos by Peter McGoran.
November 2024 NI FIDE Rating Report
By Brendan Jamison
Belfast Chess Social - Sunday 3rd November
We're hosting two tournaments on November 3rd at Reboot Cafe (opposite MEdical College building at Queens). One of them is a 3+2 speed chess tournament played on Reboot's gaming computers. There'll be a cash prize for 1st and 2nd place. If anyone is interested, they can sign up by following the link on our instagram page
ULSTER MASTERS 2024 - entry list
The last UCU weekend event of the year will take place from 15-17 November at Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, East Belfast. The 5 round classic tournament will be tripled rated by FIDE, ICU and UCU. The time control is 75+30. Chief Arbiter: Brendan Jamison. Deputy Arbiter: Edward Khanzharov.
LJCC Belfast Qualifier was held at Methodist College Belfast on 5th Oct 2024
Young chess players gathered for a day of Chess. At the first of this years monthly UCU Childrens Chess tournaments. Today saw the younger players looking to qualifier for the Top UK tournament the London Junior Chess Championship.
Belfast Qualifier for the British Open Blitz 2024/25
Belfast runs one of 8 tournaments that allow players to qualify for the British Open Blitz tournament. The top 2 players and top 2 women qualify to play in the prestigious Championship. 17 players gathered at NCIS Pavilion on Sunday Sept 29th to battle to see who would be the top Blitz players and get the lifetime opportunity to play the Countries best Blitz Players in the finals in England competing to be the British Open Blitz Champion.
The UCU Summer tournament awards 2024 and fun tournament
On Sept 25th players gathered at Civil Service Pavilion to celebrate the end of the UCU Summer Tournament. The evening consisted of a time based handicap tournament followed by the award ceremony.
The Ulster Championship 2024/25 at Queens University.
The Champions of Ulster Chess were crowned over the Bank Holiday Weekend of August 24th/25th/26th 2024. Hosted by Queens University. Belfast. A brilliant 3 days of top chess.
The Annual UCU Simultaneous - Alex Lopez IM scores 23 1/2 out of 24.
24 players gathered to play Alex Lopez (IM) 2416 rating. At Queens University. All excited and keen to pit their wits against a top class player.
October 2024 NI FIDE Rating Report
The 1st October FIDE rating list covers Northern Ireland tournaments that were held over the past 4 weeks and were rated on 30 September 2024. Please note, yesterday’s UK Open Blitz Belfast Qualifier will be rated on 31 October. Report By Brendan Jamison
New BBC Series looking for chess players
Curve Media in Cardiff, an award-winning TV company, is excited to be in the casting phase of their most recent commission, Chess Masters (working title) for the BBC, where passionate and skilled chess players from all backgrounds will battle it out across a series of rapid chess games before one will be crowned the title of Chess Champion.
Standings in the UCU Summer Tournament with 3 weeks to play.
With 3 rounds left - we check the current standings of the Summer Tournament and repeat the rules for the last 3 rounds.
September 2024 FIDE NI rating report
The 1st September FIDE rating list covers Northern Ireland tournaments that were held over the past 5 weeks and were rated on 31st August 2024. Report by By Brendan Jamison.
Its with fondness we remember William McGrattan who passed just over a year ago.
William was a much loved member of Bangor Chess Club - Captaining their A team and a key member of the club for many years. His love for the game enthused others to play and he was just a brilliant person to share stories and experiences with. Some photos from his friend and fellow fisherman Richard Proctor.
Football, Family activities, Live Music, Live Dancing and Chess at EMSONI Festival.
We were honoured to be invited to the EMSONI Festival on 3rd August 2024 and enjoyed Chess, fantastic company and conversation, live music a brilliant day at the Ulidia Playing Fields Belfast.
The Annual UCU Summer School took place on August 7th/8th/9th 2024
In the brilliant surrounds of the Ormeau Bowling Club in Ormeau park we had 3 days of chess coaching and fun. With tournaments, battle chess, team chess and worksheets. Many thanks to the Belfast Council and Damien Cunningham for organising the use of the venue.
