You are here: Home Archives Ulster Chronicles 2014-2015 season UCU Web 2014 Ulster Rapidplay 2015 2015 Ulster Rapidplay Championship Review

2015 Ulster Rapidplay Championship Review

The 2015 Ulster Rapidplay Championship was held in Ballynafeigh Chess club on Saturday 25th April.
2015 Ulster Rapidplay Championship Review

Ulster Rapidplay 2015

The tournament got off to a blistering start with upsets aplenty in round 1 - Karena Kruk beat defending champion Ciaran Quinn, Robert Lavery drew with Soren Jenson, David Barr drew with Calum Leitch, Pat McKillen beat John O'Doherty and Sandor Kacziba won against Sam Moore! This set the tone for the whole day and ensured the title went right down to the wire, indeed, going into the final round 6 players could still win the tournament. Out in front were Ciaran Quinn and Mark Newman on 4 points but hot on their heels, on 3.5 points, were Damien Lavery, Calum Leitch, Soren Jenson and Niall Troughton.

Jenson vs Troughton, Newman vs Quinn

 

 

The final round pairings on the top boards were as follows -

Mark Newman          vs            Ciaran Quinn

Soren Jenson           vs            Niall Troughton

Damien Lavery         vs            Calum Leitch

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Armstrong

 

 

Niall Troughton had an excellent tournament and shared the lead going into round 4 after winning his first three games. He ran into stiff opposition in his final three games and draws with Damien Lavery and Soren Jenson, and a loss to Ciaran Quinn meant he finished in a very commendable 6th place. Pat Mckillen continued his recent good form and finished on 3 points, which is all the more impressive given that he played higher rated opponents in every round. He had notable wins against John O'Doherty and Ian Woodfield. The Grading prize went to Chris Armstrong who secured the prize by beating David Barr in the final round in a very entertaining game.

 

 

 

 

Ciaran Quinn

 

 

 

On the top board Ciaran Quinn, playing with the black pieces, put Mark Newman under pressure in a complicated middle game. Eventually the pressure told and Mark fell to a nice combination which eventually won the game and the tournament for Ciaran. He has now won an astounding 11 out of 12 games over the last two years in the Ulster Rapidplay and it remains to be seen whether any of our local talent can stop him claiming a hat trick of titles next year! Damien Lavery grabbed 2nd place with a win against Calum Leitch in the final round.

 

 

 

 

The Winners

Navigation
News
Ulster Championships 2025 - Results This year’s championships were held over the August Bank holiday at Lisburn Chess Club. Aug 27, 2025
Ulster Championships 2025 at full capacity This year's Ulster Championships are hosted at Lisburn Chess Club with a limited number of entrants and we can now confi... Aug 16, 2025
Football, Family activities, Live Music, Live Dancing and Chess at EMSONI 2025 Festival. We were honoured to be invited to the EMSONI Festival on 26th July 2025 and enjoyed Chess, fantastic company and convers... Aug 02, 2025
The Annual Citi Charity Rapidplay took place on July 24th 2025. Some 42 players gathered to raise money for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Organised by Citi's chess team captain Micha... Aug 02, 2025
Celebrating Young Chess talent at Stormont. MLA Naomi Long invites top players. Our series of monthly tournaments concludes with the top players their parents and Principals being invited to Stormont ... Jul 11, 2025
More news…
« September 2025 »
September
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930
Upcoming Events
18th Sept. FIDE RATED City of Bangor Rapid Congress 2025 Rounds 1-5 10 rounds of FIDE Rapid play at City of Bangor Chess Club over 2 evenings. 5 Rounds on 18th Sept. 5 Rounds on 25th Sept. Sep 18, 2025 07:15 PM - 10:00 PM — City of Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
UK Blitz Championships 2025 - Belfast Qualifier - Sunday Sept 21st: FIDE Rated An opportunity to qualify for the UK Blitz Championships. Belfast is holding one of the 16 qualifying tournaments across... Sep 21, 2025 10:30 AM - 06:00 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
25th Sept. FIDE RATED City of Bangor Rapid Congress 2025 Rounds 6-10 10 rounds of FIDE Rapid play at City of Bangor Chess Club over 2 evenings. 5 Rounds on 18th Sept. 5 Rounds on 25th Sept. Sep 25, 2025 07:15 PM - 10:00 PM — City of Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
First Executive Board Meeting Agenda TBC Sep 30, 2025 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM — Lisburn Chess Club
Bangor: FIDE RATED Blitzmania 10 Rounds 1-10 Thursday 2 October 2025 Blitzmania at Bangor - a series of exciting Blitz tournaments at City of Bangor Chess Club. Oct 02, 2025 07:15 PM - 10:00 PM — City of Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
Upcoming events…