Ulster Chess News
2005 Bulletin Number 2

Immediately after the UCU AGM on Wednesday 15th June a Special General Meeting was held to consider amendments to the UCU Constitution, which would establish the Ulster Chess Union as the National Chess Federation for Northern Ireland.

The background to this meeting was the continuing difficulties over the membership fees payable to the Irish Chess Union. For some time the majority of Ulster players had expressed reservations about the level of fees required relative to the service provided by the ICU. Because of these difficulties, in season 2004-2005, the UCU had decided that payment of ICU fees would not be mandatory for participation in UCU events.

The UCU Committee decided that the continuing uncertainty about payment of ICU must be resolved once and for all. It therefore asked the members at the special general meeting either to accept the authority of the ICU to levy membership fees or to move forward independently of the ICU.

By a very large majority the UCU members decided to take the independent route. The UCU Constitution was amended to establish the Ulster Chess Union as the National Chess Federation for Northern Ireland. The UCU will now seek to affiliate to the FIDE, the World Chess Federation. This will allow individuals and teams to compete on behalf of Northern Ireland in international events.

The UCU Standard Membership Fee was raised from £5 to £10 to cover the additional expenditure required to meet fees payable to FIDE, but overall there will be a considerable saving to UCU members compared to the position if we had to pay ICU fees.

The traditional curtain raiser to a new season was as usual organised by the Bangor Chess Club and held in its clubrooms in Groomsport village. The congress had two sections, with both events held over six rounds. Michael Waters repeated his success of last year in the Senior section while Methodist College schoolboy Ananda Srinivasan won the Junior.

This tournament ran throughout the summer months on Wednesday evenings and was controlled by Sam Moore of the host club. Results were taken on percentage scores with players required to play at least 10 games to be eligible for a prize. The overall winner was Stephen Scannell, after previous victories in 1999 and 2003, with last year's winner Ananda Srinivasan taking the runners-up spot this year. Grading prizes went to Mark Newman, Chris Kelly, David Seaby and Frank Wu.

The now traditional handicap tournament was held alongside the prizegiving for the Civil Service Summer Tournament. Games are of 20 minutes duration, with players time handicapped according to the difference in their ratings. The maximum time handicap was 18 minutes to 2.

The joint winners were Damien Lavery and Frank Wu with 5 points out of 6.

This was a six-round Swiss tournament played in a single section, but with separate prize-lists for the Intermediate and Junior competitors. Overall winner was Tom Clarke, David O'Donnell retained his Intermediate title, while the Junior title was shared by Alan Burns and Luke McMullen.

There is one notable change in the League for the 2005-2006 season - the return of a 3rd Division. The League's 18 teams, 3 more than last year, were divided equally into 3 Divisions of 6 teams each, but unfortunately the Bangor 3rd Division team has had to withdraw. Each team plays 3 times against every other team in its Division.

For many years now the Fisherwick Chess Club has run a tournament open to both its own members and players from other clubs. It has used the go-as-you-please format, but for the 2005-2006 season the club has decided on a revamp. There will be two six-round Swiss tournaments, plus a series of qualifiers for a separate rapidplay tournament. The Autumn Tournament finished just before Christmas and was won decisively by Mark Newman of the Bangor Chess Club. The Winter Tournament starts on the 9th January 2006.