- Source: Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Chess_Day

In 2019, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 74/22 designating the 20th of July as World Chess Day. The resolution acknowledges the important opportunities offered by chess in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs, such as strengthening education, promoting empowerment of women and girls, global cooperation and culture of peace through chess as an affordable and inclusive activity.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-chess-day

So to celebrate this years first World Chess Day - the UN are promoting an event for all to join - on Zoom:

The invitation can be found at : https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/articlefile/invitation_to_high-level_virtual_event_in_observance_of_world_chess_day.pdf

Summary of details:

Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations Invites you to the

High-level Virtual Event in Observance of World Chess Day “Chess for Recovering Better”

Date and Time: Monday, 20 July 2020, from 03:00pm. to 05:00pm. (BST)

VTC Platform: Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85170875457?pwd=WWRhV1pqZXdRSDlOV2cvd2xMRURBUT09

Meeting ID: 851 7087 5457 Meeting Password: 039563

On the Occasion of the Inaugural Commemoration of the World Chess Day 20 July 2020, ( all times converted to BST).

from 3:00pm. to 5:00 pm. (BST) Annotated Programme

03:05-03:20 Welcome remarks H.E. Mr. Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE

03:20 – 04:10 Panel discussion

Keynote address by Ms. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Global Communications

Mr. Viswanathan Anand, 15th World Chess Champion

Mr. Magnus Carlsen, 16th World Chess Champion (tbc)

Ms. Hou Yifan, 13th Women's World Champion

Mr. Levon Aronian, Two-time World Cup winner, three-time Olympic Champion, 4 th highest-rated player in history

Mr. Vladimir Kramnik, 14th World Chess Champion

04:10 – 04:30 Interventions by UN delegations and other stakeholders (speakers are requested to indicate their interest to take the floor in the Chat box of the Zoom portal or by using the “raise hand” function)

04:30 – 05:00 Q&A session and closing remarks

Players are offered a choice - to play face to face either at a distance with two boards. Or closer with one board. The preparations look excellent. For full details see the ICU website : https://www.icu.ie/home The entry information is found at : https://www.icu.ie/events/1239.

The preparation details at : https://www.icu.ie/articles/906

Wishing all players a great tournament.

The ICU info: https://www.icu.ie/events/989 https://www.icu.ie/juniors

The dates and times of the matches:

Blitz                        Sunday 26^th July 6.30pm

Round 1                Monday 27^th July 6.30pm
Round 2                Tuesday 28^th July 6.30pm
Round 3                Wednesday 29^th July 6.30pm
Round 4                Thursday 30^th July 6.30pm
Round 5                Friday 31^st July 6.30pm

We will update you on the teams progress and in particular how our young Champion Dexter does - but for those interested the matches will be online.

The international teams playing:

	England
	France
	Ireland
	Nederland
	Scotland
	Wales

The event is long standing having been started in 1949. Its international with teams from Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, England, Wales, Scotland, France (this year they didnt play).

Dexter Harris from Ulster chess was honored to be selected to play for Ireland in the Under12's team for the Stokes Cup. Dexter played 4 games winning 2.

There are team events for :

For full results and more info : https://www.glorneycupchess.org/index.htm

In the Stokes competition Ireland came 3rd.

Dexter playing White and winning in round 2.

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. h3 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O b6 8. c4 e6 9. Nc3 Bb7 10. d5 Ne7 11. e4 e5 12. Bh2 c5 13. Nd2 a6 14. f4 exf4 15. Bxf4 Ne8 16. Qb3 f5 17. Na4 Nc8 18. Bg3 fxe4 19. Rxf8+ Kxf8 20. Rf1+ Kg8 21. Nxe4 Nf6 22. Bh4 Qe8 23. Nxf6+ Bxf6 24. Rxf6 Qxe2 25. Nxb6 Nxb6 26. Qxb6 Rb8 27. Qxd6 Qe3+ 28. Kh2 Re8 29. Re6 Rxe6 30. Qxe6+ Qxe6 31. dxe6 Bc6 32. Kg3 Kf8 33. Bf6 h6 34. Kf2 g5 35. g3 Kg8 36. Be7 Kg7 37. Bxc5 Kf6 38. e7 Ke5 39. Ke3 Bd7 40. h4 g4 41. b3 h5 42. a4 Be8 43. a5 Ke6 44. b4 Ba4 45. Kf4 Kf6 46. b5 Kf7 47. bxa6 Bc6 48. Kg5 Ke8 49. Kxh5 Bf3 50. a7 Kf7 51. a8=Q Bxa8 52. Kxg4 Be4 53. h5 Bd3 54. a6 Bxc4 55. a7 Bd5 56. h6 Be6+ 57. Kg5 Bd5 58. h7 Be4 59. h8=Q Bc6 60. Qf6+ Ke8 61. Qxc6+ Kf7 62. Qf6+ Ke8 63. a8=Q+ Kd7 64. Qd6# 1-0

Click here to play through the game

Dexters winning his final game in round 5. Dexter played Black,

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6. Nf3 Bd6 7. Be3 O-O 8. Bd3 Re8 9. Qd2 Be6 10. O-O-O a5 11. Kb1 b5 12. h4 b4 13. h5 a4 14. b3 Qa5 15. c4 bxc3 16. Qc2 axb3 17. Qe2 c2+ 18. Bxc2 Qxa2+ 19. Kc1 Ba3+ 20. Kd2 Qxc2+ 21. Ke1 Bb4+ 22. Kf1 Bc4 23. Qxc4 Qxd1+ 24. Ne1 Qxe1# 0-1

Click here to play through the game

Location and details to be confirmed. The planned timetable - below.

Time Control: 1 hour 30 minutes + 30 sec increment per move. Players will be defaulted if they arrive more than 30 minutes after the start of the round.

Timetable:

Registration - Fri 5th February                   6:30pm

Round 1             - Fri 5th February              7.00pm

Round 2             - Sat 6th February           10.00am

Round 3             - Sat 6th February            3.00pm

Round 4             - Sun 7th February           10.00am

Round 5             - Sun 7th February            3.00pm

Sections: Senior                over 1700

Intermediate     1400 - 1700

Junior                 under 1400

Prizes: The prize fund will be formulated and published on the first day of the tournament

HIs proudest memory of his time playing chess was achieving a draw against the legendary Soviet player and defector, Viktor Korchnoi, at a simultaneous display in Newtownards Town Hall on 4th February 1981.

The Ulster Chess Union would like to extend its sincere condolences to Sam's family.

https://youtu.be/f6j6cn7G5tc

The Pump House at Titanic Quarter was host to an outdoor chess experiment. The challenge was to create an over-the-broad tournament in a safe environment. The solution was to play outdoors on pic-nic tables and the players were asked to wear face coverings and gloves at the chess boards. It proved successful and everyone enjoyed the 7 rounds of blitz chess. Hopefully it will inspire other tournament organisers to hold outdoor speed events.

Congratualtions to the prize-winners at the Titanic Quarter Elite Blitz. Speed powerhouse Danny Roberts could only play 6 rounds but won 6/6 to clinch the title, with Robbie Wright securing second place with 5 points. With three players finishing on 4 points, Adam Rushe won the tie-break for 3rd, with Matthew Dougherty clinching the 'Top Student' trophy and James Wong awarded 'Best Teenager'. Aaron Wafflart won the Under 1400 Rating trophy and 'Best Under 25 Player' was awarded to Edward Khanzharov.

The 8 elite players were invited based on their prize-winning performances over the past 12 months. Danny Roberts for winning the Ulster Rapidplay Championship in February 2020, Robbie Wright as Div 1 Champion and Board 2 winner (February 2020), Chris Dorrian as the Bangor Congress Intermediate Champion (October 2019), UU student Edward Khanzharov as Division 2 Champion (February 2020), 21 year old Aaron Wafflart as the Williamson Shield Intermediate Champion (January 2020), QUB Board 1 Matthew Dougherty for 3rd Place in the Intermediate section of the Ulster Masters (November 2019), 19 year old Adam Rushe as the Strand Chess Club October 2019 Blitz Champion and 18 year old James Wong as the February 2020 Youth Rapidplay Champion at Methodist College, Belfast.

Bangor Marina Outdoor Blitz Championship 2020

Tournament Report

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.

Congratulations to Adam Rushe (1438) from Newtownards, scoring 5/6 to be crowned Champion. Bangor Chess Club Treasurer James O’Fee was hot on his heels with an impressive 4.5/6 to clinch the silver cup. Greenisland’s Chris Dorrian played some excellent games to win 3rd place on tie-break, with Evan Elwood from Millisle also finishing on 3.5 points, after joining the tournament in Round 3. Meanwhile, 15 year old Calum Glendinning (1059) from Holywood won the trophy for ‘Best Young Player’ with 3/6.

It was also great to see so many of the other chess faces again, with Tony Scullion (1262) travelling from Antrim and taking excellent photos of the event, Adrian Dornford-Smith (1176) from Toomebridge, 7 year old chess prodigy Ethan Cole (939) from Belfast, Richard McClean (1052) from Bangor and George Gamble (643) from Newtownards.

With 10 minutes each on the clock, everyone enjoyed the 6 rounds of blitz chess. Bangor Chess Club were thanked for funding the little trophies and Brendan Jamison, the organiser, received a round of applause for arranging the morning chess buzz. He said ”It feels wonderful playing outdoors in the fresh air and it is definitely something that could continue on a much larger scale in the years to come. Obviously with the nature of outdoor events, it depends on the weather so tournaments need to be arranged at quite short notice. Hopefully we can hold another blitz before the cold weather sets in. Stay tuned...”

A 1 minute YouTube video captures the magic of the event https://youtu.be/n-SJM4ypioA

Final Standings and photos:

Keep safe and enjoy your chess

The Ulster Chess Union Board.

While more than 15 attendees are allowed at outdoor sporting events, this tournament was originally planned for just 14 players and the arbiter. After more players were itching to play and with a capacity of 10 picnic tables, we allowed 20 entrants, split into two groups, with 8 competing in the Stormont Blitz as an all-play-all, the other 12 competed in the Play Park Blitz. The two groups were kept as separate bubbles so each participant only interacted with the other players in their own group. UCU Arbiter Evan Elwood assisted with the 12 in the Play Park Blitz, separated at lower ground level from the other group competing in the Stormont Blitz, assisted by Eddie Hanzharov.

Everyone wore face coverings and gloves. Entry fees were paid in cash and all coins and notes were immediately disinfected with Dettol wipes. All the boards were 2 metres apart with just one chess set per picnic table.

The format was 7 rounds of 7+7. The 7 second increment was in place to help players avoid losing on time, with a 40 move game lasting about 24 minutes. The event was rated by the Ulster Chess Union (UCU) and will appear when the next rating list is published.

We welcomed a very friendly young player to our chess community, Maikel Podean, who recently moved to Belfast from The Netherlands. He enjoyed mixing with the local players and is looking forward to more upcoming events.

Entrants with their UCU blitz ratings:

Stormont Blitz:

1.Alex Goss 1923

2.Robbie Wright 1913

3.Danny Roberts 1727

4.Gareth Annesley 1665

5.Matthew Dougherty 1532

6.Gatis Barbals 1444

7.Adam Rushe 1438

8.Edward Hanzharov 1417

Play Park Blitz:

1.Brendan Jamison (Arbiter) [Played rounds 1-3 to balance numbers]

2.Andrew Todd 1379

3.Maikel Podean 1372

4.Jamie Corscadden 1316

5.Mark Newman 1287

6.Evan Elwood 1273

7.Tony Scullion 1262

8.Aaron Wafflart 1252

9.Tim Morrison 1165

10.Geoff Sterrett 1103

11.Calum Glendinning 1059

12.Ethan Cole 939

Trophies were awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each group. Congratulations to the following 8 prize-winners:

Stormont Blitz Champion: Robbie Wright 5/7

2nd: Gareth Annesley (5/7)

3rd: Gatis Barbals (4.5/7)

Play Park Blitz Champion: Andrew Todd 6.5/7

Second: Aaron Wafflart 5/7

Third: Mark Newman 4/7

Silver Medal for Most Improved Teenager: Calum Glendinning 3/7

Bronze Medal for Most Improved Child Player: Ethan Cole 3/7

It has been a great experience running the 3 outdoor chess events during the month of September. The aim was to create a safe and fun environment for our chess community. It definitely created a buzz and all the feedback has been brilliant. Fresh air, sunshine and chess are a wonderful combination. It may feel like a long Winter without over-the-board leagues and tournaments this season but hopefully outdoor chess can return again in the Spring. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that other organisers and arbiters will be inspired to try chess in the open air. In the meantime, take care and stay safe everyone.

Photos : Eimear Savage

It was the forth dry Saturday in a row so that could mean only one thing, yes, more open air chess! The 26th September saw players descend on the beautiful coastal town of Groomsport for the 5th in the outdoor chess grand prix. With a time control of 7+7, the 6 round blitz was limited to just 10 players across 5 picnic tables at the coast. The waves were crashing in, the wind was blowing but the sun was out and everyone was armed with their masks and gloves and itching to dive into 3 hours of chess excitement!

It was great to welcome back 14 year old schoolboy Ben Toogood (1330) who finished 5th and arbiter-in-training Rebecca McClurg (783), both enjoying over-the-board chess again after a six month break. Bangor Chess Club Treasurer James O’Fee popped along to watch the first few rounds and enjoyed a fun game before the tournament began. Our friendliest newcomer, Maikel Podean (1372), from The Netherlands, competed in his second UCU rated event, finishing 6th with 3/6. He enjoyed the competition and hopes to play in many more.

Congratulations to 7 year old Ethan Cole (929) who won the Under 1000 Rating Award with an excellent Tournament Performance Rating (TPR) of 1102. Richard McClean (1052) scooped the Under 1200 trophy with a brilliant day of chess, ending with an impressive TPR of 1249.

We then had a tie with two players ending on 5/6, both enjoying an excellent run of wins, with tie-breaks determining Chris Dorrian (1390) as the 3rd place trophy winner and a TPR of 1452.  Very well done to 15 year old Calum Glendinnung (1059) who played far beyond his rating, delivering a wonderful TPR of 1524 and securing the Silver trophy for 2nd place. The day’s champion, Brendan Jamison (1748) ended on 6/6 and a TPR of 1844.

Saturday 3 October 2020

Congratulations to 15 year old Calum Glendinning from Holywood, crowned champion at today’s outdoor blitz in Whitehead. Steam trains rolled past as players enjoyed competing at the historic museum and sipped on hot drinks from the Edwardian Tea Room.

The 2nd place trophy went to Gatis Barbals from Portadown, delivering many fine wins to end with 4.5 points out of 6. Hot on his heels, Danny Roberts chalked up 4 points to secure the bronze trophy for 3rd Place.

Newcomer Maikel Podean won the Under 1425 Rating Award, having built up incredible momentum at outdoor chess over the past 3 weeks. 8 year old child chess prodigy Ethan Cole was proving his vast improvement as he demolished several of the adult players to win the Under 1200 Rating Award.

In total, 12 players battled it out over 6 rounds of 6+6. The picnic tables were sheltered overhead. Special thanks to Chris Dorrian for arranging the venue and setting up the equipment with Edward Hanzharov. The Chief Aribiter was Brendan Jamison with Evan Elwood as Deputy Arbiter.

The players extended their sincere thanks to Whitehead Railway Museum for offering such a wonderful location for a chess tournament. Organiser Brendan Jamison stated “We adored the museum, the staff are super friendly and when the steam engines rolled by, we became enveloped

by the magic ambience of this unique place.”

12 Entrants:

Danny Roberts 1727

Gerard Obasi 1585

Gatis Barbals 1444

Adam Rushe 1438

Edward Hanzharov 1417

Chris Dorrian 1390

Andrew Todd 1379

Maikel Podean 1372

Evan Elwood 1273

Adrian Dornford-Smith 1176

Calum Glendinning 1059

Ethan Cole 939

Hope this finds you all well in these strange times.

Venue : Online : https://lichess.org/

Please email me by 6:30pm on the evening of the tournament. to let the controller know to be included in the draw. Any emails after recieved after this time will not be included in the draw.

Need your lichess userid included in your email and your actual name - will do pairings according to UCU classic ratings.

Please note Games will not be UCU rated.

I will email a draw to the players at 7:00pm and the player with White play will challenge their opponent to a game with time limit of 1hr 30mins each.

At the end of the games - both players to email me the results. : mark.chris.newman@googlemail.com

I will publish a weekly report of the results.

Starting Monday  19th Oct 2020 and continuing every Monday.

Ending Monday 29th March 2021. Prize Giving and mini tournament. (setup to be determined and announced).

Times : End time to enter the draw 6:30 pm. Draw emailed to players 7:00pm. The player with White to challenge their opponent.

Format The tournament is flexible – players play whichever nights suit them with pairings being made on the evening. Players are usually paired with opponents within their own grading band but late comers may get a difficult draw or may not be paired – so please be prompt.

Time limit Each player gets 1 hour 30 minutes for the complete game.

Prizes This is run free so no prize money - just the fun in playing and a certificate and for the winner the name on the perpetual trophy.There will be grading bands, again depending on entrants.

Entry Fee Free

Controller: Mark Newman Telephone 07872544868. email: mark.chris.newman@googlemail.com

Rules
1. Players must complete 10 games to be considered to qualify.
2. If a player does not play in two of the last three rounds they will be assumed to have played and lost 2 games. If they play only one then they will forfeit one game.
3. However if a player has played 14 or more games then they are exempt from rule 2.
4. Scores will be calculated on a percentage basis.