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Membership

Member's information

Join the Union

It is very easy to join the Union

You can join the Union in a number of ways:

  • sign-up in person at any UCU event or competition
  • join an affiliated club and become a member through the club's membership scheme
  • send your personal details and membership fee by post to the Union's treasurer; contact the Treasurer directly

Membership fees are as follows (membership runs from 1st September to 31st August):

Annual membership: £25

Annual membership for those who are ICU members as well: £15

Annual membership for youngsters: £10

Annual membership for OAPs: £10

Online Payment Methods are available:
  • PayPal 
  • Bank transfer
Contact us if you wish to make an online payment.
External Tournament Rating Request
UCU members who wish to have their games from tournaments held outside the UCU's jurisdiction rated by the UCU must inform the Ratings Officer in advance; otherwise those games will not be eligible for rating.

Members

List of active members with current ratings

Members - Read More…

Executive Board

The UCU Executive Board consists of the below members. The Board holds meetings which are also open to any member on request, for details on upcoming meetings please check our upcoming events section.

Position

Member

Chair

Martin Johnston

Secretary

Pat McKillen

Treasurer

Adrian Dornford-Smith

League Controller

Michael Devine

Tournament Director

Karina Campbell

Vice Tournament Director

Chris Kelly

Ratings Officer

Robert Lavery

Women’s Development Officer

Leah Worbey

Web Editor/Social Media Officer

Karina Campbell

Youth Development Officer

Neil Gardner

Child Protection Officer

Neil Gardner

Funding Officer

Danny Roberts
Trophies Officer Geoff Hindley
UCU Historian David McAlister
ICU Representative
Member without Portfolio

Amol Thoke

Chris Armstrong

Christopher Dunseah

David Corr

You can contact the board via email.

News
Saturday 14th Feb 2026 and another brilliant monthly Childrens Chess Tournament. Youngsters from all over Ulster gathered at Methodist College to compete in an afternoon of Chess, a swiss tournament an... Feb 21, 2026
UCU Events Update – Remainder of the Season This has been a challenging year for UCU events; however, we have been fortunate to secure arbiters for events held so f... Feb 21, 2026
Standings of the Childrens Chess Grandprix after January 2026. The Ulster Chess Union runs monthly tournaments at Methodist College. All pupils are welcome to play. Five of these tour... Feb 07, 2026
The new year and the chess league continues.... Playing chess in a team is one of those joys of chess. You have the beautiful game and the team spirit. Each player focu... Feb 01, 2026
Williamson Shield 2026: Storms, Strategy, and a New Champion A report by Chris Dorrian Jan 28, 2026
More news…
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Upcoming Events
FIDE rated Ulster Rapidplay Championship 2026 Feb 28, 2026 09:30 AM - 04:30 PM — Fruithill Chess Club, Falls Bowling Club, 63 Andersonstown Rd, Belfast, BT11 9AH
Women's Chess Day with special guest - WGM Trisha Kanyamarala Mar 08, 2026 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street
FIDE RATED Coalisland Blitz Championship 2026 Tuesday 10 March 2026. Check-in at 19:50 The 10 rounds will be played back-to-back from 20:00 to 22:30 Time-control 3-... Mar 10, 2026 07:50 PM - 10:30 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
Third Executive Board Meeting Agenda TBC Mar 10, 2026 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM — Lisburn Chess Club
March 14th 2026 Childrens Chess 12:30 – 5:00 UCU Monthly Schools Chess Tournaments Continues at Methodist College. Mar 14, 2026 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
Upcoming events…