2013-2014 season
This was a busy year for news items as a couple of regular posters provided reports from league matches and long running tournaments.
The season also saw the rejuvenation of a monthly Newsletter which itself encouraged the creation of regular tournament reports.
B&D League Christmas break
Christmas is upon us and the final match has been played in 2013. The league is settling down now as we approach the break when the competition separates into two divisions. With most teams having a couple of fixtures remaining in this section, it is not at all clear who will be up and who will be down - apart from the top and bottom of course which is pretty clear cut.
NICS Lackadaisical
The next event in NICS rapidplay series is the "Lackadaisical" scheduled for Sunday 26th January. As intense as ever but the start and stop times make it an easy one for those challenged by an early rise on Sunday mornings. We have even got the caterers in so you can have your Sunday lunch made for you before you start.
Belfast South Tourney: part 1
Belfast South's Flexible Winter Tournament has reached its half-way mark. The tournament restarts on Monday 6th January with another 11 weeks to go before awarding prizes.
UCU Belfast and District League part two
The League Controller has now notified the team captains about the divisional split.
"Smart Alex" wins Mulcahy Memorial
Alex Lopez wins the 46th Mulcahy Memorial in Cork; Belfast player, Martin Kelly, pivotal in Lopez successful tournament campaign.
UCU Blitz 2013
The final event of 2013: the UCU Blitz Championship. An afternoon of outrageously fast and furious play to sort out the men from the boys.
BSCC - Best Game Autumn 2013
The Belfast South Best Game prize for Autumn 2013 has been awarded to Martin Kelly vs Robert Lavery for their match-up from Round 2. Move 12 and Robert, as Black, sacrifices his Rook with Rxc3
Williamson 2014 - Civil Service Social Club
In its 102nd year. The Williamson Shield - one of the best competitions of the year. Format: 6 rounds. 3 rounds per day. Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont.
B&D League: Part 2
Part 1 of the League has finished albeit with one result awaiting adjudication. However, this won't affect the split which is made all the more interesting with an influx of a few extra teams. The League Controller has released the fixtures lists too so the cup races begin in earnest on 27th January
Bangor vs NICS
NICS traipsed down to Groomsport for their final match of the season; missing the strong-man and President as well, the travellers fully expected to get a drubbing at the hands of a Bangor team who left it a bit late to get their act together. Well my-o-my it didn't quite turn out that way.
NICS Lackadaisical
NICS Lackadaisical Rapidplay was over and done in only a few hours. With barely time to draw breath between the 6 rounds, a clear winner emerged in this event though a selection of analogue & digital clocks were on-hand, just in case.
Belfast South 2014
Four weeks into the New Year and its all change at the top of the Flexible Tournament standings. 2014 has started badly for the 2013 leader, Robert Lavery; everyone, it seems, is racing ahead of him.
Fruithill vs NICS
The very first match-up in this season's Division 2 competition; NICS travel to Fruithill. After the first series of games both were more or less tied at the same level though their first encounter in 2013 ended most definitely in Fruithill's favour.
B&D League - Part 2, Week 1 round-up
The divisional phase of the 2013/14 Belfast and District League gets underway, with the heavyweights slugging it out for the Silver King and three new teams joining the hunt for the John Strawbridge Cup.
Kelly "Marshalls" his Attacks as Black
Here are two recent miniatures, which Martin Kelly won as Black, each proving Black gambits do work! Having lost to a Lopez a few weeks earlier in Cork (Alex Lopez, that is), Kelly wins against a Lopez (Ruy Lopez, that is!)
NICS vs Muldoons
NICS entertained Muldoons on Thursday for their first match up in Division 2. Unusually NICS had the edge ratings-wise but not by much; this one could go any way.
B&D League - Part 2, Week 2 round-up
Lindores gain vital ground on leaders and champions Fisherwick.
Fruithill vs Ballynafeigh 3
Ballynafeigh 3 got themselves into hot water on Monday nights clash against Fruithill; the Ormeau Road novices were conceding an average of almost 500 rating points to their rivals on every board. This did not look good, but after two games a shock result looked in order.
Belfast South trip themselves up
NICS headed off across the city for the Banker's Club to test the mettle of "Kelly's Heroes". Waiting in the bay-window with chess board at the ready was Ray Devenny with Sam Flanagan, camera in hand. This did not look good at all!
B&D League - Part 2, Week 3 round-up
Lindores take the lead and Belfast South are involved in further controversy, but the big story of the week was in Division 2.
