Club News

Club News
New Year RapidPlay Championship 2019 Bangor
Bangor Chess Club Hosted a brilliant New Year Rapidplay Championship with over 40 players. At the excellent Groomsport Venue on thursday 3rd January.
Players from USA and Poland flock to Groomsport for speed chess competition
Last Thursday (21st February) saw a special gathering of players arriving for the Groomsport Rapidplay Chess Championships. With 15 minutes each on the clock, it was an exciting 5 rounds of super-fast mental gymnastics - report by Arbiter Brendan Jamison
Spring Blitz Chess Animates Groomsport
Last Thursday (7 March) Groomsport was buzzing with its monthly blitz chess tournament, a popular event that animates Groomsport Parish Hall with an exciting mix of local and visiting players. Reporter: Brendan Jamison.
President Ross Harris Delivers Chess Simultaneous
Last Thursday (14 March 2019), the President of the Ulster Chess Union, Ross Harris, delivered a special simultaneous match at Bangor Chess Club. While he won all his games, he was still very impressed by the level of newcomers and awarded three prizes at the end of the night.
Speed Chess Winners at Groomsport monthly rapidplay
Last Thursday (28 March), 11 local chess players scooped awards at the monthly rapidplay at Bangor Chess Club. An article by Brendan Jamison.
Checkmate with honours
Last Thursday (4 April) Bangor Chess Club hosted a special simul match with 15 players taking on Division 1 player Brendan Jamison. However, the usual format had a creative twist! Brendan played without a queen on every board, challenging the local players to find the quickest checkmate.
Double Trouble at Groomsport Chess Tournament
Last Thursday (11 April), Teams of 2 battled it out in the first ever Doubles Rapidplay chess tournament in Groomsport.
Chess season ends with rapid tournament at Bangor Chess Club
Last Thursday (2nd May) saw the last event of the season at Bangor Chess Club. A rapid tournament over 6 rounds attracted players aged 8 and above. Locals enjoyed mixing with players from Newry, Downpatrick, Mallusk, Belfast, Donaghadee, Millilse, Newtownards, Comber and even from Michigan in the USA.
Ron Henderson a big thankyou from Bangor Chess Club
On November 2nd 2019 Bangor chess club awarded club founder Ron Henderson with Honorary Life Membership.
The Lectures on Openings at Bangor Club Continues
Opening lecture on King’s Gambit this Thursday 30 January with Albert McCarter. 9:15pm at Bangor Chess Club. Everyone welcome. The evening begins with a 6 round mini blitz.
Bangor Blitz 13th Feb 2020
Bangor continues to be more than just a chess club - regularly inviting players to talks and competitions. It held a FIDE rated Blitz on 13th February 2020.
Sveshnikov Sizzles as Bangor Players Hunger for Opening Theory
Bangor Club continues to give the Ulster Chess World top events. With brilliant opening talk by Danny Robert.
Bangor Runs another Brilliant Blitz
Bangor chess club completed its Blitz Tournaments with a well attended FIDE rated event on March 5th 2020.
REOPENING OF BANGOR CHESS CLUB : Sept 2021
BANGOR CHESS CLUB, Groomsport Parish Halls, County Down The members of Bangor Chess Club plan to reopen in September 2021. A report from Brendan Jamison.
Bangor Classic 2021
Run at Groomsport over 6 weekends:Saturday 11 September 2021 to Sunday 17 October 2021. Comes to an exciting finish.
Bangor St Patrick's Day Rapidplay
Bangor Chess Club held a St Patrick's day Rapidplay on 17th March.With some 26 players.
Mega week at Bangor Chess Club: Blindfold / Blitz / AGM / Congress
This week sees 4 events at Groomsport as Bangor Chess Club builds momentum during its third week of the new season.
FIDE Rated City of Bangor Congress 23 Sept 2023
Bangor Chess Club continues to deliver top tournaments and brilliant opportunities to play chess. Brendan Jamison reports on Saturdays event.
Walter Wilson awarded ‘Special Lifetime Membership’ of Bangor Chess Club.
Bangor Chess Club celebrates one of its much loved members Walter Wilson with a "Special Lifetime Membership Award"
Owen Wilson awarded Honorary Membership of Bangor Club on 28th Sept 2023
On Thursday 28th September 2023, on the 20th anniversary of first playing for the club in autumn 2003, it was with great pleasure the committee of Bangor Chess Club awarded Owen Wilson with Honorary Membership.
Bangor club celebrates its 60th anniversary
60 years in 60 minutes. A fun and playful documentary capturing the magic of Bangor Chess Club. Short interviews and event highlights over past 8 months as the club celebrates its 60th anniversary
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News
Treasurer Role Opportunity at the Ulster Chess Union May 13, 2026
The Childrens Chess April Tournament took place on Sat 11th April hosted at Methodist College. An afternoon of fun chess. A tournament and puzzle solving competition. Almost 30 young players gathered to enjoy our mo... May 09, 2026
Bangor club celebrates its 60th anniversary 60 years in 60 minutes. A fun and playful documentary capturing the magic of Bangor Chess Club. Short interviews and eve... May 09, 2026
UCU League 2025/26 final tables and board prizes Report on the UCU Belfast & District League 2025/26 May 04, 2026
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
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Upcoming Events
The Summer Tournament Weds 20th May at Civil Service The Summer Tournament is at Civil Service Social Club starting Wednesday 6th May 2026 at the Maynard Sinclair Pavilion a... May 20, 2026 07:15 PM - 10:30 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
UCU Annual GM Simul with GM Keith Arkell Full details will be updated once ticket holders have confirmed their availability. May 23, 2026 05:30 PM - 11:00 PM — Carrickfergus Community Chess Club, Open Door Centre, Bridewell Drive
Mick Germaine Cup 2026 – Junior teams competition A team event for 4 under 16 players. 6 rounds 15mins time control. May 24, 2026 10:30 AM - 04:30 PM — Artane Beaumont Family Recreation Centre, Kilmore Road, Artane, Dublin 5
No Summer Tournament - Weds 27th May Due to International Cricket at the Pavilion - there will be no chess on Weds 27th May May 27, 2026 07:15 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Lisburn Bullet Championships Jul 05, 2026 10:30 AM - 04:30 PM — Lisburn Chess Club
Upcoming events…