You are here: Home Archives Ulster Chronicles 2015-2016 season UCU Web 2015 culture night 2015 A wonderful evening of Coffee and Chess at Caffe Nero

A wonderful evening of Coffee and Chess at Caffe Nero

Belfast Culture night on Friday Sept 18th. A cafe, live entertainment, a table, a chess set, a cup of coffee and brilliant conversation. Nothing beats it!

Belfast Culture Night has become a chess highlight of the year. Surrounded by people enjoying the nights events, with live music, street acts and all Belfast has to offer - pure fun. We setup 8 chess sets outside Caffe Nero and provided the opportunity for passers-by to sit, chat and enjoy a game of chess.

Adrian Dornford-Smith coached youngsters on the large chess set. He was brilliant, explaining the principals of the game with a catching enthusiasm.

All the chess tables were busy, I added 2 sets inside the Cafe to allow more people to play.

Adrian1inside1
tables1 tables2

All evening passers-by stopped and watched or played. Encouraged by the Ulster Chess Union players who enjoy outside chess and coffee. Players dropping by

included Adrian Dornford-Smith, Ray Devenney, Ian Woodfield, Robert Lavery, James Fairley, Michael Morris, Cathal Murphy just to mention a few.

Five beautiful problems were handed-out, together with fliers with dates of events coming up.

probs-a
probs-b

(Solutions at the bottom of the page)

 

adrian2Murphy-Morris
inside2 parade

Pictures tell the story.

Thanks to Caffe Nero, the Culture Night Organisers and the wonderful people enjoying the evening. For a brilliant night.

 

tables3tables4

 

 

youngster1

Radulov-Smejkal 1961

Black to play choices are

  1. Rxc2
  2. Bxd6
  3. Qxf1+

Black is in all sorts of problems

The one move that solves everything is 3 Qxf1+

Followed by 4 Rxc2 and then 5.Bxd6 winning the Knight

Redeli-Barati1961

Black to play choices are

  1. Ra1+
  2. Rxf2
  3. Ra2

Again White looks good with a pawn on f6.

But 1. Ra1+ allows 2. Qa4 threatening the Bishop

mate on c2.

Nedeljkovic-Udovcic 1958

White to play choices are

  1. Rg8
  2. b3+
  3. Nc5+

2. b3+ Rxb3 3. Nc5+ either winning the Rook

or if dxc5 4. Ra6 mate

O’Brien-Priestley 1958

White to play choices are

  1. Nxg1+
  2. Bc4
  3. Nd4+

2. Bc4 Qxc4 3. Qd2+ Kf3 4. Rg3+ Kxg3 5. Qf4 mate.

Nakagawa-Day 1978

White to play choices are

  1. e5
  2. h5
  3. g5

A pawn breakthru: 2. h5 followed by g5 when 3...fxg

4. fxg hxg 5.h6 and the pawn will Queen.

 

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…