2018-2019 season
Gabor Horvath wins the Williamson Shield 2019
The weekend of January 19-20th 2019 was no regular weekend at the Stormont Pavilion in Belfast, as one of the most major chess events took place to kick off the new year. With 30 players ranging from children to seniors, the event had a vast range of both age and skill level. Tournament Report by Assistant Arbiter Adam Rushe
Strand 1 stretch lead after dominant performance
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 11) Strand 1's lead in Division 1 stands at nine points after their 4.5-0.5 demolition of Civil Service, QUB 2 cut into Northern Lights' lead in Division 2, and Bangor 2 are the new leaders of Division 3.
The Second in the series of Childrens Chess Tournaments
Top young chess players gathered at Methodist College on Saturday 12th January 2019 to play in the Second Childrens Chess Tournament of the season.
Ballynafeigh 1 miss big opportunity to close gap
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 12) Ballynafeigh 1 were held to a surprise draw by a makeshift QUB 1 side, while Strand 1's march to the Silver King continues unabated.
Newry Rapidplay Report - February 2019
52 players flocked to Newry from across Ireland, both North and South, on a very cold February morning - a tournament celebrating the affiliation of the UCU to the ICU and kindly sponsored by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. - report by John Bradley
Northern Lights stretch Division 2 lead
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 13) Northern Lights go nine points clear in the Strawbridge Cup chase after beating Strand 2 while QUB 2 were beaten by Bangor 1. In Division 1, Ballynafeigh 1 have narrowed the gap slightly on Strand 1.
Strand 1 come out on top in crunch match
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 14) Strand 1 took another big step towards their first Silver King after victory over their nearest rivals.
Scholastic Chess at Methodist College Belfast. - February 9th 2019
Young Chess enthusiasts played an afternoon of chess and solved chess puzzles at Methodist College.A brilliant day of logical thinking.
GM Luke McShane plays Belfast at Stormont Hotel - February 21st
Top player Grand Master Luke McShane played 29 chess players ranging in age from 9 years and up. At the brilliant venue of the Stormont Hotel.
Lisburn Chess Club hosted Blitz and Bullet Chess - February 23rd.
On Saturday 23rd February Lisburn Chess Club hosted at the Lisburn Library 26 players from top players Steve Scannell and Sergio Esteve Sanchez to relatively new players James Wong and Taufik Kamal.
Northern Lights clinch Strawbridge Cup
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 15) The John Strawbridge Cup has a new name on it after Northern Lights convincingly saw off their nearest rivals QUB 2 to secure the Division 2 trophy with two matches to spare.
National Club Championships and Irish International Open 2019
The National Club Championship 2019 takes place from April 5-7 in Gonzaga College, Dublin. The Irish International Open 2019 will then take place from April 17-22 in the same venue
Children enjoying chess at Methodist College
Saturday 9th March and young chess enthusiasts gather to play and solve chess problems at Methodist College part of our monthly schools chess events.
Storm Gareth blows Ballynafeigh 1 off course as he leads Kelly's Heroes to victory
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 16) In a week where the weather headlines were dominated by Storm Gareth, Kelly's Heroes had a Gareth of their own on board 1 as they dealt a hammer blow to Ballynafeigh 1's Silver King ambitions.
Imperious Strand 1 march on
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 17) Can anyone stop Strand 1 from claiming their first Silver King? The answer certainly isn't Civil Service, as they were thrashed 4.5-0.5 by the league leaders. Division 3 is looking a little tighter, as leaders Bangor 2 succumbed to the Fruithill Ravens.
The Childrens Chess Grandprix Standings 2018/19
We have one tournament to go - April 13th. Who is on to win the Grandprix - the Belfast Scholastic Shields and be invited to Stormont by MLA Chris Lyttle for the special award ceremony and elite competition.
Kings and queens battle at Royal School, Armagh
The first ever Armagh Rapidplay Chess Championships were held at the Royal School on Saturday 30 March. The event was run by the Ulster Chess Union (UCU) and kindly supported by the school headmaster Graham Montgomery.
UCU Winter Tournament 2018-19
This popular event, hosted by Queen's University Chess Club and organised by Belfast South Chess Club, finished on 8 April along with prize-giving. As with previous years there were prizes not only for the overall Winner and Runner-up but also 3 Grading Band prizes. 2 Best Game prizes were also awarded.
Strand 1 close in on Silver King after week of closely-fought matches
(B&D League 2018/19 Week 18) Strand 1 were hoping for draws between their rivals in their free week to maintain their cushion as much as possible - they got one, as well as a pair of 3-2 scorelines in the other matches.
