News
GM Ben Finegold plays 20 Ulster Chess players and wins all the games
Our annual Ulster Chess Union Simultaneous Event was back in 2023 with a difference. We played top US player GM Ben Finegold online with a video link to the US. The event took place at the Civil Service Social Club on our regular annual date of Thursday 16th February.
Remembering an enthusiastic chess teacher Brian Thorpe
Brian Thorpe for many years was a large part of Chess in Ireland. He ran Methodist College Chess Club. And in the words of Frank Scott : Brain Thorpe - Chess Legend.
FIDE rating report - April 2023
13 players gained new FIDE ratings in the April list.
The Grandprix Standings going into the last Childrens Chess of the year
After Saturday 1st April and the final Childrens Chess Tournament we will have the winners of the Grandprix.
Childrens Chess continued on February 11th 2023 at Methodist College
February 11th saw top young chess players gather at Methodist College to play some top chess. The afternoon consisted of a 7 round swiss and a brilliant Puzzle Solving competition.
FIDE rating report - March 2023
15 players gained new FIDE ratings in the March 2023 list.
Ladies Day with WIM Trisha Report
A report by Karina Campbell We were lucky to get back to Greenisland FC Chess Club where it all started. On Sunday 26th February, we welcomed ladies from across Ulster and of various playing abilities.
Hanzharov wins FIDE-rated City of Bangor Winter Blitz
"Fast Eddie" blitzes the opposition at Groomsport Parish Hall
Geek Retreat Valentine's Day Blitz Report
On Tuesday 14th February, Geek Retreat on Bangor Main Street hosted a special Valentine’s Day Blitz.
Lisburn Rapid Championship 2023 Tournament Report
It was a full house at Lisburn Chess Club on 10th Feb, as 42 players competed for 8 prizes in the first FIDE-rated event at the club in 2023. The tournament saw 35 visitors and 7 Lisburn club members taking part, 4 from Lisburn A (the total chess legend and 9 time Ulster Champion Steve Scannell, Dean Gorman, Pat Coleman and Captain Jack Edens) and 3 from Lisburn B (Club Director Neil Gardner, Anayraj Tripathi and James Crummey
FIDE Rating Report - February
21 players make their FIDE rating debuts in the 1st Feb rating list - FIDE Rating Report by Brendan Jamison, FIDE National Arbiter
IM Mark Orr to headline Ulster Rapidplay 2023
International Master Mark Orr, the most renowned player to ever come out of Bangor Chess Club, will be be returning on 15th April to play in the Ulster Rapidplay Championships at Groomsport!
UCU Simultaneous will take place on thursday 16th February 2023
We will be playing GM Benjamin Finegold (online). At the Civil Service Pavilion. Other dates for your diaries are the City of Belfast on weekend and Bank Holiday of April 29th / 30th / 1st May and a new Ulster Fischer Random Rapidplay Championship on Sunday March 26th.
Childrens Chess Grandprix Standings after January 2023
With 2 of the 5 childrens chess tournaments completed we have the standings so far in the Grandprix. There are 3 more tournaments to go so plenty of opportunity to play and win points. Or to solve puzzles and also gain points. The season ends with an Award Ceremony usually held at Stormont.
Chess tournaments continue at Methodist College
The January Childrens Chess was played on Saturday 14th January 2023. With 27 keen young chess players.
Greenisland FC Chess UCU January Blitz - Report
Greenisland FC Chess had the pleasure of hosting a Blitz Tournament on the 27th January 2023. 32 players of all ages and abilities.
Williamson Shield 2023 - Results
Played over the weekend of Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd January 2023, we had 54 players competing for a £900 prize fund.
January 2023 FIDE rating report
The Omagh Rapidplay helped generate several rating debuts in December. With 50 players at the Ulster Blitz Championship on 29th December, these games will be rated by FIDE on 31st January so expect a big surge of new rating debuts then! We were delighted so many newcomers attended this event and also joined the Ulster Chess Union on the day.
