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.
News
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
Exciting changes to the Sligo event in 2026. Now a multi-tournament chess festival. Save the dates in your calender Jan 30th to Feb 8th. The Sligo event is undergoing a major transformation in 2026 from a weekender to a multi-tournament festival. The Sligo ... Oct 16, 2025
The Monthly Childrens Chess Kicks off Oct 25th at Methodist College ** New date ** The LJCC Belfast Qualifier a one day 6 round tournament starts our annual series of monthly tournaments a... Oct 09, 2025
The 2025 Summer tournament ends with a fun tournament and award ceremony Weds 24th September 2025 saw 24 players gather to celebrate the end of the UCU Summer Tournament. Who won? we have the f... Sep 27, 2025
More news…
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Upcoming Events
FIDE RATED Bangor Club Masters Rapid 2025 [10 rounds of 25+0 over two days] Open to all players. One open section with Intermediate and Junior trophies awarded for highest placed finish by players... Nov 06, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:45 PM — City of Bangor International Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, Northern Ireland, BT19 6JR
FIDE RATED Bangor Club Masters Rapid 2025 [10 rounds of 25+0 over two days] Open to all players. One open section with Intermediate and Junior trophies awarded for highest placed finish by players... Nov 08, 2025 10:15 AM - 04:30 PM — City of Bangor International Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, Northern Ireland, BT19 6JR
FIDE rated Ulster Masters 2025 Please note due to venue capacity, entries will be capped at 44. Nov 14, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025 — Lisburn Chess Club
National Arbiters (NA) Course and Running Live Boards Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025 — Colaiste Wanna, Ballyroan, Co. Dublin
FIDE RATED Lough Neagh Rapid Championship 2025 : Wednesday 19 November 2025 5 Round 12min each player. FIDE rated rapidplay. Venue: Washingbay Centre. Hosted by Washingbay Chess Club. Nov 19, 2025 07:50 PM - 09:30 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
Upcoming events…