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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
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
Lisburn Chess Club shares with deep sadness the news of the passing of young Gopi Marengo Nov 18, 2025
Ulster Masters 2025 – Results A 5 round FIDE-rated classic event was held at Lisburn Chess Club, Friday 14th November – Sunday 16th November. Nov 16, 2025
More news…
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Upcoming Events
January 10th 2026 Childrens Chess 12:30 – 5:00 Monthly Chess Tournaments Continues at Methodist College. Jan 10, 2026 12:30 PM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
FIDE RATED West Winds Newtownards Rapid Championship 2026 Saturday 17 January 2026. Check-in at 9:45am. The 6 rounds will be played back-to-back from 10am to 1:30pm Venue: West... Jan 17, 2026 09:45 AM - 01:30 PM — West Winds Community Centre, Dakota Ave, Newtownards, BT23 AQT
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
Upcoming events…