Youth and Schools Chess

Ulster Schools Championships

The Ulster Schools Chess Council is the governing body for chess in schools. It holds an annual individual championship in various age groups.

These tournaments started in 2002 and are individual competitions. Within each competition there are two events, one for Primary School children and one for pupils in Forms 1 to 3 (Years 8 to 10). During each event there is also some coaching. Events take place from 12.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

National Chess Week for Barnardo's

Barnardo's, The British Land Company PLC and Chess Academy joined forces to launch the first ever National Chess Week, from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th October 2003. The aim was for more than half a million children and young people throughout the UK to have the opportunity to play at least one game of chess during the week and to raise £500,000 for Barnardo's at the same time. On the 25th October 2003 Methodist College, Belfast organised a tournament for National Chess Week with all the proceeds going to Barnardo's. A total of £500 was raised.

Waterfront Hall Schools Challenge Tournaments

These tournaments for schools were held from 1999 until 2003. Initially only primary schools competed but the competitions were extended to the junior Forms of secondary schools. There were two tournaments each year usually in May or June. As the series progressed the competitions changed from being individual tournaments to team events. The very first event took place at Belfast City Hall but all subsequent tournaments were held at the Waterfront Hall.