You are here: Home Archives Ulster Chronicles 2018-2019 season UCU Web 2018 Northern Lights stretch Division 2 lead

Northern Lights stretch Division 2 lead

(B&D League 2018/19 Week 13) Northern Lights go nine points clear in the Strawbridge Cup chase after beating Strand 2 while QUB 2 were beaten by Bangor 1. In Division 1, Ballynafeigh 1 have narrowed the gap slightly on Strand 1.

Division 1

  • Ballynafeigh 1 4-1 Civil Service
  • Kelly's Heroes 2.5-2.5 Ballynafeigh 2
  • Strand 1 3-2 QUB 1
Ballynafeigh 1 kept their Silver King hopes alive with a convincing win over Civil Service. The Ormeau Road side were without their regular board 1, three-time Ulster Champion David Houston, but gave away only two draws as Steve Scannell, WFM Karina Kruk and Ian Woodfield all won, while Damien Lavery drew with David Blair and Vincent O'Brien shared the point with Jim McLean. With the arrival of Rasmus Jorgensen (2065) from Denmark and a four-man QUB 1 side as opposition, Strand 1 could have been forgiven for expecting a wide margin of victory to pad their lead, but in the end they barely scraped by with a 3-2 result as Jorgensen and Daniil Zelenchuk were held to draws by Sergio Esteve Sanchez and Callum Ormerod respectively and Calum Leitch was beaten by Daniel Diaz-Roncero Gonzalez. Modestas Razbadauskas' win over Vincent Crean secured the bonus points for the Holywood Road side, but their lead has been cut to 10.5 points. In the week's other match, Kelly's Heroes and Ballynafeigh 2 shared the points. Gareth Annesley and John Bryars won for the home side, while David Ruben drew with John O'Doherty and Chris Kelly pulled one back for the visitors. In the last game to finish, Sam Flanagan looked well-placed to secure the match for Kelly's Heroes as he had Robert Lavery under serious pressure for most of the game, but fell victim to time trouble.

Division 2

  • Northern Lights 4-1 Strand 2
  • The B Team 4.5-0.5 Fruithill Falcons
  • Bangor 1 3.5-1.5 QUB 2
Division 2 leaders Northern Lights were nearly 300-point-per-board favourites against Strand 2, and duly put in a dominant performance to win 4-1. Nicholas Pilkiewicz, Stephen Wood, a returning Des Moreland, and Martin Donaghy proved too strong for the opposition, with Adam Rushe as the sole point-scorer for the Holywood Road side as he beat Bernard McCaughey. Second-placed QUB 2 fell behind with a 3.5-1.5 defeat at the hands of Bangor 1. Wins for Martin Moorcroft, Alan McConnell and Sam Moore ensured the win for the home side, while Robert Clarke (1234) managed a creditable draw with James O'Fee (1638) and Cathan Gormley won for the visitors against Steven Eachus. In the week's other Division 2 match, The B Team easily saw off the Fruithill Falcons.

Division 3

  • Ballynafeigh 3 1.5-3.5 Bangor 2
In the only Division 3 match to go ahead, Bangor 2 stretched their lead to 14.5 points (although second-placed QUB 3 have two matches in hand) with victory over bottom side Ballynafeigh 3. Tony Redden, Nigel Telford and Gary Johnston all won to bring the bonus points to Groomsport, while Jonny Brown drew with Antonio Curado. The home side's only win was the upset of the week as Robert Brown (675) claimed victory over Alwyn Pollock (890).

Standings

Division 1PlayedPointsDivision 2PlayedPointsDivision 3PlayedPoints
Strand 1 10 55 Northern Lights 11 57 Bangor 2 11 57
Ballynafeigh 1 10 44.5 QUB 2 11 48 QUB 3 9 42.5
QUB 1 10 38 Strand 2 11 37 Fruthill Ravens 9 39
Fruithill Hawks 9 33.5 Bangor 1 11 34 Ballynafeigh 4 10 35
Kelly's Heroes 10 31.5 The B Team 11 33 Strand 3 10 35
Ballynafeigh 2 11 24.5 Fruithill Falcons 11 22 Strand 4 11 26.5
Civil Service 10 18 Ballynafeigh 3 12 17
Navigation
News
February 2025 FIDE NI Rating Report By Brendan Jamison Congratulations to 7 more players making a FIDE rating debut Jan 31, 2025
Childrens Chess Grand-prix standings after the first 2 competitions. After the Nov and Jan Childrens Chess tournaments what are the standings for the Grand-prix. With an explanation of the ... Jan 25, 2025
Chess Activities in Ulster to watch out for. There are lots of activities happening in Ulster Chess. With great Clubs like Bangor, Lisburn and Downpatrick running ev... Jan 25, 2025
The new year kicked off with the Williamson 2025. 17th - 19th January 2025 One of Ulster Chess Unions oldest tournaments. The Williamson Shield is always a brilliant tournament. Taking place at t... Jan 25, 2025
The Monthly Childrens Chess Tournaments continued on Sat 11th January at Methodist College 29 young players came together to play and enjoy an afternoon of chess with a 6 round tournament and challenging puzzle ... Jan 24, 2025
More news…
« February 2025 »
February
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
232425262728
Upcoming Events
FIDE RATED Groomsport Classic 2025 Round 1 Number of Rounds: 4 Rd1: 13 February 2025 at 7:15pm, Rd2-R4 15 February 2025 Feb 13, 2025 07:15 PM - 10:00 PM — Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
FIDE RATED Blitzmania 2: City of Bangor Chess Club 10 Round FIDE Blitz. Time Control 5+0. Feb 14, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:00 PM — City of Bangor International Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County
FIDE RATED Groomsport Classic 2025 Rds 2-4 Number of Rounds: 4 Rd2-R4 15 February 2025 10:00am - 7:30pm Feb 15, 2025 10:00 AM - 07:30 PM — Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
FIDE RATED NI Gold Coast Team Classic League Round 4 - 27 February 2025 Entire teams can enter or individuals from other clubs are welcome to play and you will be placed in a team. The format... Feb 27, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM — Bangor City Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
FIDE RATED City of Bangor Spring Blitz 2025 [event 7 of 8 in Gold Coast Blitz Grand Prix 2024/2025] - 6 March 2025 March 06, 2025 from 07:30 PM to 10:00 PM Where : City of Bangor International Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall... Mar 06, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:00 PM — City of Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
Upcoming events…