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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
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 Black Mountain Rapid 2026 [event 2 of 10 in art & chess neurodiversity festival] The Chess neurodiversity festival continues. With second exciting event. Venue: Black Mountain Shared Space, 208 Ballyg... Mar 28, 2026 10:15 AM - 04:30 PM — Black Mountain Shared Space, 208 Ballygomartin Road, Belfast, BT13 3NG
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
Belfast May Day Chess Open May 05, 2026 06:30 PM - 09:30 PM — First Presbyterian Church, Rosemary St, Belfast
Upcoming events…