News
B&D League Christmas break
Christmas is upon us and the final match has been played in 2013. The league is settling down now as we approach the break when the competition separates into two divisions. With most teams having a couple of fixtures remaining in this section, it is not at all clear who will be up and who will be down - apart from the top and bottom of course which is pretty clear cut.
Bangor vs Ballynafeigh 2
Fresh from a week's break, Ballynafeigh 2 resumed their league campaign with a trip to the North Down coast.
Ulster Schools Individual Champions crowned on 7th December.
The Schools Individual Ulster Championships took place at Methodist College on 7th December. Four tournaments decided the Champions for Under 12, Under 14, Under 16, Under 19. The Under 19 determining the Schools Ulster Champion: Thomas Donaldson.
UCU News Correction
Apologies for an error in this months UCU News: the final round in the Belfast South Tournament will be on Monday 16th December and not as reported
Childrens Chess kicked off in November - a warm-up for the Ulster Championships.
The first Childrens chess of the year was held at Methodist College on November 2nd. This starts the group of tournaments that leads to the top players being invited to Award Ceremony in June (previously held at Stormont). Quality Chess played by players from P2 to Upper Sixth. An excellent opportunity to practice for the Ulster Schools Championships in December.
B&D League
Seven weeks into the League and teams are starting to sort themselves out. There only another 4 matches (2 before & 2 after the holidays) left in this part of the competition before we break into Divisions 1 & 2 and the battle for the Silver King starts in earnest.
Des Forson 1964-2013
Des Forson, longtime member of the Ulster Chess Union, died in a Whiteabbey hospice in the middle of November. David Houston, friend and contemporary, remembers Des - on and off the chess board.
The Agony and the Ecstasy
Martin Kelly reports on his recent performances in the League, UCU Masters and the recent ICU event in Kilkenny. Martin provides some clues on other UCU members playing in Kilkenny
Fruithill vs NICS
After their victory last week, a relaxed NICS team travelled across the city to Fruithill. Perhaps they should have been a bit more concerned: strong-man McAlister was missing for the match and Fruithill have a reputation for fielding strong, home-teams. As it was, the visitors were not entirely out-gunned.
NICS vs Ballynafeigh 3
NICS tripped down to Ballynafeigh Community Centre for a league match more to their liking - Ballynafeigh's number 3 team. After the past couple of weeks of demolitions from Muldoons, Fisherwick and Lindores, the team ought to be able to gain some points and lift themselves clear of the bottom, temporarily at least.
Ballynafeigh 2 vs Fruithill
After whitewashing Ballynafeigh 3 last week, could Ballynafeigh 2 build on that result against stiffer opposition?
GOING DUTCH
An arresting telegram arrived today, delivered by a fresh-faced young chap sporting a peaked cap and a very unlikely, tight tunic. I didn't think telegrams still existed nevermind Post Office delivery boys...
Ulster Masters 2013
Ballynafeigh hosted the 3rd Ulster Masters last weekend. This year, rather than two distinct sections, both seniors & challengers were combined. A broad range of talent competing in the 2-day tournament starting on Saturday 16th November
NICS vs Lindores
After complicated too-ing and fro-ing by email & phone between NICS, Lindores and the League Controller a match-up was finally confirmed. Unable to secure accommodation in the Pavilion, NICS decamped to the Holywood Arches to continue their onward league quest. Yet another opportunity to create an upset for a Silver King contender.
Ballynafeigh 2 1.5-3.5 Lindores
Ballynafeigh 2's tough start to the season continues with a defeat to Lindores, but there was some entertaining chess along the way.
Ballynafeigh 2 2-3 Fisherwick
On October 29th Fisherwick provided the opposition at Ballynafeigh Community House. Could Ballynafeigh 2 claim the scalp of the Silver King holders?
Website Improvements
In addition to the release of the UCU Monthly Newsletter, the Web Team have made a few changes to the website to make it more accessible to members. We are also bringing in a substantial body of historical articles for the UCU Archive.
UCU Newsletter
The UCU Web Team have just finalised the Union's monthly newsletter. The first issue should be sent out over the first weekend in November. If you have not been subscribed, use the sign-up tool to add your name for the next issue.
B&D League: week 3
3 weeks in and its all to play for with Silver King holders Fisherwick floundering in 6th position. Mind you it will be difficult to predict a final result with one club not playing each week and a bunch of teams at the bottom arguing over the wooden spoon.
Oh dear, oh dear
NICS entertained Muldoons on Thursday night. NICS, a new generation of Civil Servants versus Muldoons, a revamped Mallusk squad with ambitions. Could the new boys challenge the travellers ambitions? Would the visitors be able to deliver on their bold talk? A testing match-up for both teams perhaps.
