Dr McSparran Cup

Presented to the winner of the Ulster Individual Championship.
The early Ulster Championships 1892-1902
The first Ulster Championship was held as part of the 1892 North of Ireland Chess Congress. After 1892 there were five further championships, organised by a committee comprising the secretaries of the local clubs, before the series petered out.
Winners of the Ulster Championship 1933-1959
At a meeting on the 1st February 1932 the representatives of the various Belfast clubs decided to put the organisation of Ulster chess on a formal footing and the Ulster Chess Union was formally established. The new body revived the Ulster Championship and the first UCU Championship was held in 1933. It was not until 1960 that a perpetual trophy was presented to the winner.
Winners of the Dr McSparran Cup
In 1960 Dr McSparran presented his perpetual Cup to the Ulster Chess Union. The Cup is awarded to the winner of the Ulster Senior Championship.
News
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
Ulster Masters 2025 – Results A 5 round FIDE-rated classic event was held at Lisburn Chess Club, Friday 14th November – Sunday 16th November. Nov 16, 2025
An afternoon of brilliant chess and puzzle solving was held at Methodist College on 1st Nov 2025 The first of our 5 Childrens Chess took place on Saturday. These feed into a grandprix with top players being invited to... Nov 08, 2025
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Upcoming Events
Ulster Blitz Championship 2025 Sat 27th Dec at Fruithill Chess Club. FIDE rated 3mins + 2sec. 18 Rounds. Become an Ulster Champion. Dec 27, 2025 09:30 AM - 04:30 PM — Fruithill Chess Club, Falls Bowling Club, 63 Andersonstown Rd, Belfast, BT11 9AH
FIDE RATED Washingbay New Year Rapid Championship 2025 Tuesday 6 January 2026 The 5 rounds will be played back-to-back from 8pm to 10:30pm Check-in at 7:50pm. Please take sea... Jan 06, 2026 07:45 PM - 10:30 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
Second Executive Board Meeting (Rescheduled) Jan 06, 2026 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM — Maynard Sinclair Pavilion (Playball conference room)
January 10th 2026 Childrens Chess 12:30 – 5:00 Monthly Chess Tournaments Continues at Methodist College. Jan 10, 2026 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
FIDE RATED West Winds Newtownards Rapid Championship 2026 Saturday 17 January 2026. Check-in at 9:45am. The 6 rounds will be played back-to-back from 10am to 1:30pm Venue: West... Jan 17, 2026 09:45 AM - 01:30 PM — West Winds Community Centre, Dakota Ave, Newtownards, BT23 AQT
Upcoming events…