Ulster Rapidplay Championship

Past winners

The first time an event carried the title of the Ulster Rapidplay Championship was on the 3rd December 2000. It was a one-off event, part of the Target Recruitment sponsorship of the Ulster Chess Union in the 2000-2001 season.

2000  - Stephen SCANNELL

The next time the Championship was held was on 2nd January 2006. The next four Championships were all held between Christmas and the New Year until the 2010-2011 season when the Championship which took place on 2nd January 2011.

2005-06 - Gareth ANNESLEY, John CAIRNS, Nicholas PILKIEWICZ

2006-07 - Stephen SCANNELL

2007-08 - Stephen SCANNELL

2008-09 - Gareth ANNESLEY, John CAIRNS, Michael HOLMES, Calum LEITCH, Stephen SCANNELL

2009-10 - Gareth ANNESLEY, John CAIRNS

2010-11 - John CAIRNS

For the 2011-2012 season the UCU decided to hold an Ulster Blitz Championship over the holiday period, moving the Rapidplay Championship to a new Spring slot in the Calendar.

2012 - Michael WATERS

2013 - John MASTERSON

The 2013 Championship was held on Easter Monday. The 2014 and subsequent Championships saw the winner receiving the Arthur Cootes Memorial Cup.

2014 - Ciaran QUINN

2015 - Ciaran QUINN

2016 - Gabor HORVATH

2017 - Daniil ZELENCHUK

2018 - Nikhil JOSHI

2019 - Daniil ZELENCHUK

2020 - Danny ROBERTS

2021 - No Championship

2022 - Danny ROBERTS

2023 - Mandar TAHMANKAR

News
Standings of the Childrens Chess Grandprix after March 2026. The Ulster Chess Union runs monthly tournaments at Methodist College. All pupils are welcome to play. Five of these tour... Mar 22, 2026
Amost 40 young players gather at our Monthly Childrens Chess tournaments Saturday March 14th. Methodist College. We continue our monthly events. An afternoon of Chess games and puzzles. With al... Mar 22, 2026
Standings of the Childrens Chess Grandprix after February 2026. The Ulster Chess Union runs monthly tournaments at Methodist College. All pupils are welcome to play. Five of these tour... Mar 08, 2026
New Rapidplay Ulster Champion Crowned 28th February 2026 Fruithill Bowling Club hosted in its brilliant venue the annual Rapidplay Ulster Championship. Many thanks to the Club a... Mar 07, 2026
Ulster Chess Union Mourns the Passing of Damien Lavery Mar 02, 2026
More news…
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Upcoming Events
FIDE RATED Moira Rapid Championship 2026 Tuesday 7 April 2026 10 rounds of 10+5. Moira Presbyterian Church. Apr 07, 2026 10:10 AM - 05:00 PM — Moira Presbyterian Church, 14-18 Meeting Street, Moira, BT67 0NR, Northern Ireland
FIDE RATED Northern Ireland Youth Blitz Championship 2026 Wedsnesday 8th April 14 rounds of 5+5. Moira Presbyterian Church. Apr 08, 2026 10:10 AM - 05:00 PM — Moira Presbyterian Church, 14-18 Meeting Street, Moira, BT67 0NRd
April 11th Childrens Chess 12:30 – 5:00 UCU Monthly Schools Chess Tournaments Continues at Methodist College. All youngsters welcome. Apr 11, 2026 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
FIDE RATED Washingbay Chess Club Spring Rapid 2026 Tuesday 21 April 2026 Check-in opens at 19:30. 5 rounds will be played back-to-back from 20:00 to 22:30 : Time Control:... Apr 21, 2026 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
FIDE Rated City of Belfast 2026 May 02, 2026 - May 04, 2026 — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street
Upcoming events…