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
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
The LJCC Belfast Qualifier took place at Methodist College on 25th Oct 25 The first of the UCU monthly childrens tournaments took place on 25th Oct 2025 after being postponed due to the storm. 3... Nov 02, 2025
UCU Tournaments: A Critical Moment for Volunteer and Arbiter Support This report, prepared by Tournament Director Karina Campbell and presented to the Ulster Chess Union Executive Board, ou... Oct 26, 2025
More news…
« December 2025 »
December
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031
Upcoming Events
Ulster Schools Individual Championships 2025 Come and challenge to become the Ulster Schools Chess Champion 2025. 6th December at Methodist College. Dec 06, 2025 10:00 AM - 04:30 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
Second Executive Board Meeting Agenda tbc Dec 09, 2025 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM — Playback Conference Room, Maynard Sinclair Pavilion
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
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 Williamson Shield 2026 Jan 23, 2026 - Jan 25, 2026 — Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Upper Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 3TA
Upcoming events…