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B&D League - week 5 analysis
Five weeks in and both divisions have leaders almost a full game-set of points ahead of their closest challenger. But there are at least another 9 weeks left and with some startling results and upsets already, especially in Division 2, consistency might be hard to come by.
3 weeks to go
Only 3 weeks left in Belfast South's regular Monday tournament. Top honours are far from certain and there is just enough time for outsiders to get a couple of games in to meet the qualifying quota and maybe steal a win.
Williamson 2014
Now over 100 years old, the Williamson Shield was up for grabs over the weekend of 22/23 February at the familiar venue of The Maynard Sinclair Pavilion. Always a popular event in the UCU calendar and this year the Shield found a brand new home for the next 12 months.
Bangor back on form
Bangor travelled to NICS on Thursday for their first meeting in Division 2 after the ignominious trouncing they received in the last match of the previous All-Play-All stage of the League competition. From his sick bed, Bangor club captain William McGratten send his team forward to try their best.
B&D League - Part 2, Week 4 round-up
Fisherwick retake the lead, while Bangor slip up in Division 2.
B&D League - Part 2, Week 3 round-up
Lindores take the lead and Belfast South are involved in further controversy, but the big story of the week was in Division 2.
Belfast South trip themselves up
NICS headed off across the city for the Banker's Club to test the mettle of "Kelly's Heroes". Waiting in the bay-window with chess board at the ready was Ray Devenney with Sam Flanagan, camera in hand. This did not look good at all!
Fruithill vs Ballynafeigh 3
Ballynafeigh 3 got themselves into hot water on Monday nights clash against Fruithill; the Ormeau Road novices were conceding an average of almost 500 rating points to their rivals on every board. This did not look good, but after two games a shock result looked in order.
B&D League - Part 2, Week 2 round-up
Lindores gain vital ground on leaders and champions Fisherwick.
Plenty of quality Schools Chess at Methodist College
On January 11th the Childrens Chess competitions continued. Out of the top players who will win a place at the Stormont Elite event at the end of the School year?
NICS vs Muldoons
NICS entertained Muldoons on Thursday for their first match up in Division 2. Unusually NICS had the edge ratings-wise but not by much; this one could go either way.
Kelly "Marshalls" his Attacks as Black
Here are two recent miniatures, which Martin Kelly won as Black, each proving Black gambits do work! Having lost to a Lopez a few weeks earlier in Cork (Alex Lopez, that is), Kelly wins against a Lopez (Ruy Lopez, that is!)
B&D League - Part 2, Week 1 round-up
The divisional phase of the 2013/14 Belfast and District League gets underway, with the heavyweights slugging it out for the Silver King and three new teams joining the hunt for the John Strawbridge Cup.
Belfast South 2014
Four weeks into the New Year and its all change at the top of the Flexible Tournament standings. 2014 has started badly for the 2013 leader, Robert Lavery; everyone, it seems, is racing ahead of him.
Fruithill vs NICS
The very first match-up in this season's Division 2 competition; NICS travel to Fruithill. After the first series of games both were more or less tied at the same level though their first encounter in 2013 ended most definitely in Fruithill's favour.
NICS Lackadaisical
NICS Lackadaisical Rapidplay was over and done in only a few hours. With barely time to draw breath between the 6 rounds, a clear winner emerged in this event though a selection of analogue & digital clocks were on-hand, just in case.
B&D League - Part 2
Part 1 of the League has finished albeit with one result awaiting adjudication. However, this won't affect the split which is made all the more interesting with an influx of a few extra teams. The League Controller has released the fixtures lists too so the cup races begin in earnest on 27th January
Lagan vs Ballynafeigh 2
For their final match of the first phase of the season, Ballynafeigh 2 paid a visit to the Belfast Boat Club to take on Lagan. With both teams safely through to Division 1, they were nonetheless looking to grab as many points as possible in order to steal a march on their rivals.
Bangor vs NICS
NICS traipsed down to Groomsport for their final match of the season; missing the strong-man and President as well, the travellers fully expected to get a drubbing at the hands of a Bangor team who left it a bit late to get their act together. Well my-o-my it didn't quite turn out that way.
BSCC - Best Game Autumn 2013
The Belfast South Best Game prize for Autumn 2013 has been awarded to Martin Kelly & Robert Lavery for their match-up from Round 2. Move 12 and Robert, as Black, sacrifices his Rook with Rxc3
