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
Ulster Masters 2025 – Results A 5 round FIDE-rated classic event was held at Lisburn Chess Club, Friday 14th November – Sunday 16th November. Nov 16, 2025
An afternoon of brilliant chess and puzzle solving was held at Methodist College on 1st Nov 2025 The first of our 5 Childrens Chess took place on Saturday. These feed into a grandprix with top players being invited to... Nov 08, 2025
The LJCC Belfast Qualifier took place at Methodist College on 25th Oct 25 The first of the UCU monthly childrens tournaments took place on 25th Oct 2025 after being postponed due to the storm. 3... Nov 02, 2025
UCU Tournaments: A Critical Moment for Volunteer and Arbiter Support This report, prepared by Tournament Director Karina Campbell and presented to the Ulster Chess Union Executive Board, ou... Oct 26, 2025
Exciting changes to the Sligo event in 2026. Now a multi-tournament chess festival. Save the dates in your calendar Jan 30th to Feb 8th. The Sligo event is undergoing a major transformation in 2026 from a weekender to a multi-tournament festival. The Sligo ... Oct 20, 2025
More news…
« November 2025 »
November
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30
Upcoming Events
FIDE RATED Lough Neagh Rapid Championship 2025 : Wednesday 19 November 2025 5 Round 12min each player. FIDE rated rapidplay. Venue: Washingbay Centre. Hosted by Washingbay Chess Club. Nov 19, 2025 07:50 PM - 09:30 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
Ulster Schools Individual Championships 2025 Come and challenge to become the Ulster Schools Chess Champion 2025. 6th December at Methodist College. Dec 06, 2025 10:00 AM - 04:30 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
Second Executive Board Meeting Agenda tbc Dec 09, 2025 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM — Playback Conference Room, Maynard Sinclair Pavilion
January 10th 2026 Childrens Chess 12:30 – 5:00 Monthly Chess Tournaments Continues at Methodist College. Jan 10, 2026 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
Sligo Chess & Culture Festival Jan 30th - Feb 8th 2026 The Sligo Chess and Culture Festival will have entertainment, social, cultural, and sporting activities, chess talks, wo... Jan 30, 2026 - Feb 08, 2026 — Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, Ireland
Upcoming events…