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
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
Christmas and New Year sees the Ulster Blitz Championships 2025/26 Hosted by Fruithill Chess Club, Falls Bowling Club. A brilliant venue and Chess Club. 37 players played a marathon of 18... Jan 03, 2026
One week left to register for the upcoming Ulster Blitz Championship The Ulster Blitz Championship 2025 will be held on Saturday 27th December in Fruithill Chess Club, Falls Bowling Club. ... Dec 17, 2025
Ulster Champions were crowned at Methodist College on Sat 6th Dec 2025 37 young chess players gathered at Methodist College to compete for the age group titles of Ulster Champion. 6 rounds o... Dec 08, 2025
More news…
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Upcoming Events
FIDE-rated Williamson Shield 2026 Jan 23, 2026 - Jan 25, 2026 — Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Upper Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 3TA
FIDE RATED Northern Ireland Youth Rapid Championships 2026 (ages 7-17) Saturday 24 January 2026. Venue: City of Bangor International Chess Club. Jan 24, 2026 10:15 AM - 01:00 PM — City of Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
FIDE RATED Belfast Blitz 2026 (event 1 of 10 in Festival celebrating neurodiversity in art and chess) Format: swiss, 10 rounds of 3+2. Date: 24 January 2026, Time: 19:30 to 22:00 Maynard Sinclair Sports Pavilion Jan 24, 2026 07:30 PM - 10:00 PM — Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Sligo Chess & Culture Festival Jan 30th - Feb 8th 2026 The Sligo Chess and Culture Festival will have entertainment, social, cultural, and sporting activities, chess talks, wo... Jan 30, 2026 - Feb 08, 2026 — Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, Ireland
FIDE RATED Coalisland Rapid Championship 2026 Tuesday 3 February Tuesday 3 February 2026, Check-in at 19:50, Please take seats at 19:55, The 5 rounds will be played back-to-back from ... Feb 03, 2026 07:50 PM - 11:00 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
Upcoming events…