2012 Ulster Masters

On the weekend of 17th/18th November at the Civil Service Social Club some exciting Chess was played. Two players led their sections and gained victory with out dropping a game. Thomas Donaldson beat a tough section of seasoned club players to win with 5 points out of 6 - a fantastic score. Winning the intermediate section. Alan Delaney winning the Senior section with 5 1/2 out of 6.
2012 Ulster Masters

The Intermediate Winner

 

The Masters 2012 Winners

Above the Masters Prize winners

The senior section was small but tough. There's no easy win in Chess. Alan Delaney took an early lead and maintained it against some tough opposition to win with 5.5 out of 6. Several other players exceeded their ratings and played exceptionally well:

Ian Woodfield coming a an excellent second having beaten Mark Newman and Danny Mallaghan and only losing to the winner Alan.

Ross Harris drawing against Steve Scannell, Ian Woodfield, Peter McGuckin, Alan Delaney and only losing against Steven Eachus.

Unfortunately Steve Scannell was unable to play the second day.

Alan Delaney winner of the Masters Seniors who didn't lose a game.

Alan Delaney the Masters 2012 Senior Section winner.

The final standings of the senior section.

Place Name Ratings Score




1 Alan Delaney 1811 5.5
2 Ian Woodfield 1689 3.5
3-7 Ross Harris 1554 3

Danny Mallaghan 1767 3

P. McGuckin 1608 3

Mark Newman 1797 3

Steven Eachus 1567 3
8-9 Jonathon Rowney 1753 1.5

Stephen Scannell 2042 1.5

See the competition page for full details of matches.

Thomas Donaldson wasn't the favourite to win but ploughed through the opposition only drawing the last two games. He beat in order of play: Robert Biernat, William Storey, Robert Lavery, George Jackson then drawing with Martin Kelly and Kevin Agnew. Here's a young player to watch in the future.

Thomas Donaldson winner of the Masters Intermediate Section

Thomas Donaldson Winner of the Intermediate Section of the Masters 2012.

 

The final standings of the intermediate section.

Place Name Ratings Score




1 Thomas Donaldson 1200 5
2-4 Martin Kelly 1365 4.5

Stewart McConaghy 1430 4.5

Kevin Agnew 1282 4.5
5-6 George Jackson 1260 3.5

Alan Burns 1338 3.5
7-12 Robert Lavery 1355 3

William Storey 1338 3

Roy Stafford 1219 3

CJ Murphy 1313 3

Garry Johnston 1200 3

Geoff Hindley 984 3
13-14 J Monaghan 1119 2.5

Phillip Morrison 1012 2.5
15 David Seaby 1103 2
16 Paul Anderson 643 1
17 Robert Biernat 1400 0.5

See the competition page for full details of the matches.

The controller Damien Cunningham takes a break and plays a friendly against Steve Eachus

Damien Cunningham the tournament controller taking a break playing a friendly against Steven Eachus

Enjoying the Chess - John Monaghan with William Storey

John Monaghan and William Storey enjoying the chess

Ian Woodfield - Seniors second place

Ian Woodfield won second place in the Senior Section

Martin Kelly - Intermediate 2nd place

Martin Kelly won Intermediate Second place

Ross Harris - Intermediate 3rd place

Ross Harris receiving 3rd place for the Senior Section.

Navigation
News
The Delancey Schools UK Chess Challenge Belfast Megafinal took place on May 9th 2026 This marks the end of our monthly Childrens Chess Tournaments. A brilliant one day qualifier for the prestigious Delance... May 30, 2026
Arkell Put to the Test in Carrickfergus English chess legend pushed all the way as local players claim two wins and two draws in a memorable evening for the Uls... May 27, 2026
City of Belfast Chess Tournament Delivers Drama, Upsets, and Two Champions in a Thrilling 2026 Edition The May Bank Holiday weekend brought six intense rounds of competitive chess to Lisburn Chess Club, as 34 players from a... May 22, 2026
Annual General Meeting 2025/2026 2025/2026 season is rapidly coming to a close and with this comes the announcement of the UCU’s Annual General Meeting... May 22, 2026
Treasurer Role Opportunity at the Ulster Chess Union May 13, 2026
More news…
« June 2026 »
June
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930
Upcoming Events
Ulster Fischer Random Rapidplay Championship 2026 7 rounds of Fischer Random Chess, Saturday 13th June at Loanends Presbyterian Church Hall Jun 13, 2026 10:30 AM - 06:00 PM — Loanends Presbyterian Church Hall, Loanends Rd, Loanends, Crumlin BT29 4YR
Annual General Meeting 2026 Agenda to follow post submissions to secretary Monday 8th Jun 15, 2026 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM — Fruithill Chess Club, Falls Bowling Club, 63 Andersonstown Rd, Belfast, BT11 9AH
Lisburn Bullet Championships Jul 05, 2026 10:30 AM - 04:30 PM — Lisburn Chess Club
FIDE Rated Ulster Championships 2026 Aug 29, 2026 - Aug 31, 2026 — Blackmountain Shared Space, 280 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, BT13 3NG
FIDE RATED Aughamullan Rapid 2026 : Tuesday 15 September 2026 5 rounds. Time Control 12mins. Checkin 19:00 Prize giving 21:50. Venue : Washingbay Centre, Coalisland. Sep 15, 2026 07:00 PM - 09:50 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
Upcoming events…