2020-2021 season
July 20th Today is International Chess Day
The International Chess Day is celebrated annually on July 20, the day the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded, in 1924. The UN have organised a Zoom meeting and invited chess players to join see below for details - starts at 3:00pm (BST).
Irish Championships to be held 1st - 9th August 2020.
The Irish Championships will run from 1-9 August in Coláiste Éanna; entries close on July 25th.
Ulster Youngster selected to play for Ireland in Glorney Gilbert International
Youngster Dexter Harris has been selected for the Irish International Under 12 Team to play at the Glorney Gilbert International
Dexter Harris helps Ireland gain 3rd place at the Glorney Gilbert International 2020
Junior international teams from England, Belgium, Wales, Netherlands, Scotland and Ireland. Competed online in different age group sections for cups in the Glorney Gilbert International 2020.
This years Ulster Championship postponed to February 2021
The UCU board would like this to be a face to face tournament. With that in mind we have postponed this years Championships. We are targeting Friday Evening to Sunday February 5th - 7th.
Sam Livingston RIP
Samantha Scott, daughter of Sam Livingston, has informed us that her father died suddenly on Saturday 1st August 2020 at the age of 93.
ANNUAL AWARDS Belfast & District Chess League August 2020
Usually the awards are given out at the award ceremony. But this year our brilliant chess organiser Brendan Jamison has created a mobile award ceremony by visiting the winners homes and hand delivering the trophies - whilst maintaining social distance. A big thanks to Brendan.
TITANIC QUARTER OUTDOOR ELITE BLITZ CHAMPIONSHIP 2020
A face to face invitational Blitz was held on Saturday 5th Sept. Organised and report provided by Brendan Jamison our fantastic UCU Chess organiser.
Bangor Marina Outdoor Blitz Championship 2020
Tournament Report by organiser Brendan Jamison Saturday 12 September from 10am to 12 noon Players travelled from far and wide to enjoy 2 hours of chess in the sunshine and fresh air at Bangor Marina.
UCU Board extends UCU membership and Club affiliations
With the unusual circumstances with Covid - the feeling with the Board is that indoors face to face chess is unlikely in the near future. And accordingly has decided to extend current UCU membership to the new Chess Year 2020-21.
Outdoor Autumn Blitz Chess Championship at Stormont Estate, Belfast
Another brilliant outdoor event was held on Saturday morning 19th Sept. 2020. Report by Tournament Organiser Brendan Jamison, National Arbiter.
Open Air Event 5: Groomsport Outdoor Blitz Championship - Saturday 26 September 2020
Another brilliant outdoor tournament run by Brendan Jamison. A 6 round blitz with 10 players.
Everyone enjoyed the open air chess blitz at Whitehead Railway Museum. Sat 3rd Oct 2020
Steam Trains and Chess - what a brilliant mix. Brendan Jamison organised with Chris Dorrian who arranged the venue and help setup with Edward Hanzharov. The Whitehead Railway Museum provided a covered outside set of table - many thanks.
Winter Tournament 2020 - virtual
Using the same rules as our usual Summer Tournament we will be running a Monday evening drop in tournament. With time limit of 1:30mins each. Read below for more details.
Open Air Chess Delivers New Blitz Ratings
Rating Report by Brendan Jamison, National Arbiter and Director of Chess NI
The 7th Open Air Chess Event celebrated the 6th year of The Global Chess Festival
Held on 10th October 2020 at Bangor's McKee Clock chess players from 7 nations fought out an exciting Chess Blitz. Report from Organiser Brendan Jamison.
BREAKING NEWS: Danny Roberts wins the NI Open Air Blitz Grand Prix.
The 7 open air tournaments run brilliantly by Brendan Jamison contributed to the NI Open Air Grand Prix 2020. Danny finished on 26 points, followed very closely by Calum Glendinning and Adam Rushe, both finishing in Joint 2nd with 25 points.
The virtual league 2020 kicked off with Bangor at home to Civil Service
On October 15th two teams of 6 chess players. Each player at home in front of a screen showing a virtual chess board - took a deep breath and fought a battle - the Virtual league for 2020 had begun ....
The Winter Tournament kicked off on Monday 19th October 2020
Moved to online virtual games using Lichess.org. The Winter tournament has started. Its being run over the winter months on monday evenings ending on March 29th and has the same rules as the Summer tournament that has just ended.
UCU WINTER GRAND PRIX CYBER BLITZ 2020
A 7 round, online blitz grand prix event hosted on Lichess.org A drop-in, drop out series of 5+0 blitz arena tournaments from 4:15-5:30 every Sunday beginning from 1st November and ending on 20th December.
