You are here: Home Archives Ulster Chronicles 2018-2019 season UCU Web 2018 City of Belfast Championships 2019 Tournament Report for City of Belfast Championships 2019

Tournament Report for City of Belfast Championships 2019

Held at The Pavilion, part of the Stormont Estate and location of the NICS chess club, the City of Belfast Championships were a terrific bank holiday weekend of chess. Some enjoyed playing on home turf, while others travelled a great distance to participate; Nikolai Dimitrov took the train all the way from Dublin! Report By Ciaran Rowan, Assistant Arbiter

There was a combination of seasoned players and new faces. This was Geoff Sterrett’s first ever tournament, and Peter McGuckin, coming from Cookstown, returned after years away from competition.

The Nemtzov Cup featured a very high level of play, but both it and the Henderson Cup had some exciting games, some of which were recorded on live boards for the Ulster Chess Union archives. All are available to view at ulsterchess.net

Spanish international chess player Sergio Esteve Sanchez (5/6) was crowned the Nemtzov Cup Champion, remaining undefeated across the six rounds. Following the process of tie-breaks, 2nd Place was awarded to South Belfast’s Gareth Annesley (5/6). The Under 1800 Grading Prize went to Robert Lavery, scooping a GM Simul ticket for February 2020.

In the Henderson Cup, Ballynafeigh’s Barney McGahan (5/6) won the championship with a terrific 3 days of chess. 2nd Place went to Bangor’s Andrew Todd (4.5/6). The Under 1300 Grading Prize was won by James Wong (4/6) from Derriaghy and the Under 1100 Grading Prize went to Ciaran Rowan (3/6) from Downpatrick.

At the end of the prize-giving the UCU Tournament Director announced the next 3 day weekend event is the Ulster Championships at the Europa Hotel on 24/25/26 August. This will be followed by the return of the Bangor Congress, a one-day rapid-play on Saturday 5 October. The Ulster Masters will be held over the weekend of 23/24 November at Saint Columbanus’s College in Bangor. For those hungry for chess during the Summer months, Mark Newman is running the UCU Summer Tournament every Wednesday night at Civil Service Chess Club from 7:30pm to 10:45pm. Everyone welcome.

 

City of Belfast Prize-Winners

Nemtzov Cup Champion: Sergio Esteve Sanchez (5/6)

2nd Place: Gareth Annesley (5/6)

Under 1800 Grading Prize: Robert Lavery (2/6)


Henderson Cup Champion: Barney McGahan (5/5)

2nd Place: Andrew Todd (4.5/6)

Under 1300 Grading Prize: James Wong (4/6)

Under 1100 Grading Prize: Ciaran Rowan (3/6)

Photos:

Round 1 Saturday Morning

rd1-1rd1-2
rd1-3 rd1-4

Round 2 Saturday Afternoon.

rd2-1rd2-2
rd2-3 rd2-4

Round 3 Sunday Morning

rd3-1rd3-2
rd3-3 rd3-4

Round 4 Sunday Afternoon

rd4-1rd4-2
rd4-3 rd4-4

Round 5 Monday Morning

rd5-1rd5-2
rd5-3 rd5-4

Round 6 Monday Afternoon

rd6-1rd6-2
rd6-3 rd6-4

Brendan has an excellent Arbitor training setup, which includes Tournament training.....

arbitor1arbitor2
arbitor3 arbitor4
Navigation
News
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
Ulster Fischer Championships took place on June 8th at Civil Service Pavilion One of the most exciting competitions of the year involves chess with a difference. The initial position of the main pie... Jun 29, 2025
Annual General Meeting 2024/2025 2024/2025 season is rapidly coming to a close and with this comes the announcement of the UCU’s Annual General Meeting... Jun 27, 2025
More news…
« August 2025 »
August
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31
Upcoming Events
FIDE-rated Ulster Championships 2025 The top Ulster competition returns to open the 2025-2026 season! Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025 — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street
FIDE RATED County Tyrone Rapid Championship 2025 Wednesday 3 September 2025 Check-in at 7:45pm. The 5 rounds will be played back-to-back from 8pm to 10:30pm Washingbay... Sep 03, 2025 07:45 PM - 10:30 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
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
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
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…