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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 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
Chess Players of Carrickfergus and Beyond! The Ulster Chess Union is delighted to have been contacted to share the details of a new club coming in Carrickfergus. Jan 21, 2026
The New Year - Welcome - and Childrens Chess continues at Methodist College : Sat Jan 10th 2026 Young players gathered at Methodist College to compete in the monthly Chess tournaments. Players of all ages from P2 to ... Jan 13, 2026
More news…
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Upcoming Events
U1800 FIDE RATED Jamison Classical Chess Academy 2026 Sunday 8 February 2026 to Tuesday 10 February 2026 Venue:Maxwell Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6J... Feb 08, 2026 - Feb 10, 2026 — Maxwell Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR
February 14th 2026 Childrens Chess 12:30 – 5:00 UCU Monthly Schools Chess Tournaments Continues at Methodist College. Feb 14, 2026 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
FIDE rated Team Match: Northern Ireland v India. Saturday 21 Feb 2026 A Bangor Chess Club initiative, celebrating the outstanding contribution that players from the local Indian community ha... Feb 21, 2026 10:15 AM - 04:30 PM — Queen’s Hall, 13 West Street, Newtownards, BT23 4EN
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
Third Executive Board Meeting Agenda TBC Mar 10, 2026 08:00 PM - 09:30 PM — Lisburn Chess Club
Upcoming events…