You are here: Home Membership Clubs Belfast South (UCU affiliated) Club News Martin Kelly remembering two wonderful Belfast South players

Martin Kelly remembering two wonderful Belfast South players

Sadly Sam Ferris and Dave Riley have recently passed away. Both well respected and much loved members of Belfast South.

"As Captain of Belfast South Chess Club, it grieves me to announce the recent deaths of Dave Riley and Sam Ferris. Dave was a well-liked member last season who moved from Blackpool for a year at QUB and played for us regularly with great success in Division 1. He returned home this summer but unfortunately passed away shortly afterwards.

In contrast, Sam Ferris was a longtime member of our club, especially when we were Fisherwick C.C. He played recently in our Club Championship and the game below may have been his last game. He looked after his ill wife for years and passed away only recently. He was much loved by all of us and, like Dave, will be sorely missed. RIP.

White: Cathal Murphy; Black: Sam Ferris (Belfast South Championship, 18/12/2017)

(Vienna Gambit )

1.e4 e5; 2. Nc3 d6; 3.f4 Nc6; 4.Nf3 g6; 5.Bc4 Bg7; 6.O-O Bg4?; 7.Bxf7 ch Kxf7; 8.Ng5 ch Ke8 (in some lines, 8..Qxg5 wins a piece, but here 9.fxg5 is check!); 9.Qxg4 Qd7?; 10.Qxd7 Kxd7; 11.Nf7 Nf6; 12.Nxh8 Rxh8; 13.d3 and White wins eventually, exchange and a pawn up."

Martin Kelly.

News
Washingbay FIDE Rapid This week's upcoming event's early entry list Jun 02, 2025
Annual General Meeting 2024/2025 2024/2025 season is rapidly coming to a close and with this comes the announcement of the UCU’s Annual General Meeting... Jun 01, 2025
City of Belfast Winners Well done to Steve Scannell our champion, and David Jeffers on winning the Intermediate trophy! May 26, 2025
The Belfast Megafinals took place at Methodist College on Sat May 10th 2025 The last of this years monthly tournaments at Methodist College. Ended with the Delancey Chess Challenge Belfast Megafin... May 25, 2025
GM Alex Baburin plays 24 games in Ulster Simultaneous 23rd May 2025 An evening of fantastic chess was enjoyed when 24 Ulster Chess players played Irelands GM Alex Baburin. Organised by Kar... May 24, 2025
More news…
« June 2025 »
June
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930
Upcoming Events
The Summer Tournament (Now FIDE rated) Weds 11th June at Civil Service Pavilion Weds 11th June and the 6th Week. The aim is to start each round at 7.45 pm. Please arrive at least by 7:30pm and if arri... Jun 11, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Annual General Meeting 2024-2025 Agenda TBC when nominations and motions are received Please submit nominations/motions by 20th June Jun 30, 2025 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM — Falls Bowling Club, 63 Andersonstown Road
City of Lisburn Championship Jul 26, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025 — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street
Upcoming events…