Ulster Chess Championships 2017

Europa Hotel, Belfast

September 2-3, 2017

Tournament report by Brendan Jamison

SENIOR SECTION

The over 1700 senior section of this year’s Ulster Championships enjoyed a special international flavour with our favourite American competitors Steve Scannell (1983) and Stephen Rush (1844) joined by newcomers Nikhil Joshi (2103) from India and Sergio Pereira (2001) from Portugal. We also welcomed 3 exceptional young players from the Republic of Ireland, Jonathan Peoples (1757), Peter Carroll (1742) and Alex Goss (1714). Polish FIDE Master Karina Kruk WFM also entered the mix, as did Thomas Donaldson (1753), recently elected Chess Club President at Imperial College London.

The standard of chess in the top section was phenomenal and we received many positive messages from all the spectators watching the live boards at home. In Round 5, Thomas Donaldson (1753) delivered an outstanding victory over Nikhil Joshi (2103) to secure the best game prize on a live board. Our thanks to former UCU President David McAlister for donating this award, a special edition of the American Chess Magazine. Thomas also scooped the Under 1800 Grading Prize, finishing on 3.5/6. Last year’s Ulster Champion Stephen Rush (1844) remained undefeated in this year’s tournament as he won the 2^nd place prize, finishing with 4.5/6 with 3 wins and 3 draws.

With 5/6 points, the ever-charismatic Steve Scannell (1983) received a giant round of applause as he won the Ulster Championship for a 9^th time! Once again he has proven his status as a true chess legend and remains a great inspiration to the many students of the game!

INTERMEDIATE SECTION

The Intermediate section welcomed Heilke Gorter (1570), a visiting player from The Netherlands who joined 10 of our regular tournament goers. The under 1500 Grading prize was tightly fought out but in the end William Storey (1343) was the deserved winner with 3.5/6. Meanwhile in second place, Chris Kelly (1560) delivered 5 excellent wins. However, one player rose above all others, the championship was awarded to the phenomenal Modestas Razbadauskas (1510) from Lithuania. His performance rating (TPR) of 2249 bodes well for his UCU rating to begin catching up with his true strength as a top class competitor.

JUNIOR SECTION

With 29 players, of whom 12 were competing in their first ever Ulster Championships, the Junior section created a wonderful buzz in the playing venue. We were delighted to enjoy so much fresh energy from so many younger players who contributed lots of imagination and creativity to their games. New teenage player Louie McConkey scooped the Unrated grading prize with 3/6. Jasper Ramsey (877) punched far above his grading band with a TPR of 1190 and finished on 3.5/6 to secure the Under 1000 prize. Meanwhile fellow QUB sensation Rian Mellotte (1103) delivered another excellent tournament performance with 4.5/6 to win the Under 1150 prize. 4 players tied on 4.5/6 so the tie-break system of Median Buchholz awarded Martin Kelly (1301) 3^rd place and Chris Armstrong (1398) 2^nd place, both remaining undefeated throughout the 6 rounds. Paddy Magee (1241) also ended on 4.5/6, but just missed out on a prize by a whisker. However, his play had been of a very high standard throughout the weekend, clocking up 4 impressive wins and a draw.

This section saw one player dominate the first 4 rounds with the perfect score of 4/4. In the final two rounds, he remained unbeaten as he settled for draws to secure the Ulster Junior Championship, congratulations to Cathan Gormley (1220). We look forward to seeing his chess continue to develop in the league season ahead and of course he automatically shoots up into the Intermediate section in next year’s Ulster Championships. He promises to be player to watch!

THANK YOU

Competitors delivered a round of applause at the end of the prize-giving for arbiters Ross Harris, Brendan Jamison and Adrian Dornford-Smith who volunteered 3 days to set-up and run the tournament, as well as many weeks of planning. The Europa Hotel also received a big thank you for donating the room for free which meant we were able to use the entire amount collected in entry fees (£835) for distribution as prize money and simul tickets.

All 5 grading prizes included cash and a £25 ticket to the upcoming GM Simul in Belfast on the evening of Thursday 22 February 2018. This is a yearly highlight in the local chess calendar and it always takes place the night before everyone heads to the Bunratty International Chess Festival.