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Simultaneous exhibitions

This section will document simultaneous play against local chess players by strong masters, including three World Champions.

José Raúl Capablanca

Three World Champions have given simultaneous displays in Belfast - Capablanca (1919), Alekhine (1938) and Smyslov (1969). Of these, only Alekhine was the World Champion at the actual time of his visit. Smyslov had lost his title to Botvinnik in 1958, while Capablanca had to wait until 1921 to defeat Lasker for the championship.

José Raúl Capablanca - Read More…

Alexander Alekhine

Three World Chess Champions - Capablanca, Alekhine and Smyslov - have given simultaneous displays in Belfast. However, only one of them - Alekhine - was World Champion at the time of his visit.

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Gerald Abrahams

"ABRAHAMS, Gerald (b. 15 April 1907): British amateur who in the 1930s was playing master-chess. At that period he was the most attacking player in England." (from The Encyclopedia of Chess, edited by Harry Golombek, Batsford 1977)

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News
The New Year - Welcome - and Childrens Chess continues at Methodist College : Sat Jan 10th 2026 Young players gathered at Methodist College to compete in the monthly Chess tournaments. Players of all ages from P2 to ... Jan 13, 2026
Christmas and New Year sees the Ulster Blitz Championships 2025/26 Hosted by Fruithill Chess Club, Falls Bowling Club. A brilliant venue and Chess Club. 37 players played a marathon of 18... Jan 03, 2026
One week left to register for the upcoming Ulster Blitz Championship The Ulster Blitz Championship 2025 will be held on Saturday 27th December in Fruithill Chess Club, Falls Bowling Club. ... Dec 17, 2025
Ulster Champions were crowned at Methodist College on Sat 6th Dec 2025 37 young chess players gathered at Methodist College to compete for the age group titles of Ulster Champion. 6 rounds o... Dec 08, 2025
Lisburn Chess Club shares with deep sadness the news of the passing of young Gopi Marengo Nov 18, 2025
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Upcoming Events
FIDE-rated Williamson Shield 2026 Jan 23, 2026 - Jan 25, 2026 — Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Upper Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 3TA
FIDE RATED Northern Ireland Youth Rapid Championships 2026 (ages 7-17) Saturday 24 January 2026. Venue: City of Bangor International Chess Club. Jan 24, 2026 10:15 AM - 01:00 PM — City of Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
FIDE RATED Belfast Blitz 2026 (event 1 of 10 in Festival celebrating neurodiversity in art and chess) Format: swiss, 10 rounds of 3+2. Date: 24 January 2026, Time: 19:30 to 22:00 Maynard Sinclair Sports Pavilion Jan 24, 2026 07:30 PM - 10:00 PM — Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Sligo Chess & Culture Festival Jan 30th - Feb 8th 2026 The Sligo Chess and Culture Festival will have entertainment, social, cultural, and sporting activities, chess talks, wo... Jan 30, 2026 - Feb 08, 2026 — Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, Ireland
U1800 FIDE RATED Jamison Classical Chess Academy 2026 Sunday 8 February 2026 to Tuesday 10 February 2026 Venue:Maxwell Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6J... Feb 08, 2026 - Feb 10, 2026 — Maxwell Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR
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