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Ulster Rapidplay Championship

Past winners

The first time an event carried the title of the Ulster Rapidplay Championship was on the 3rd December 2000. It was a one-off event, part of the Target Recruitment sponsorship of the Ulster Chess Union in the 2000-2001 season.

2000  - Stephen SCANNELL

The next time the Championship was held was on 2nd January 2006. The next four Championships were all held between Christmas and the New Year until the 2010-2011 season when the Championship which took place on 2nd January 2011.

2005-06 - Gareth ANNESLEY, John CAIRNS, Nicholas PILKIEWICZ

2006-07 - Stephen SCANNELL

2007-08 - Stephen SCANNELL

2008-09 - Gareth ANNESLEY, John CAIRNS, Michael HOLMES, Calum LEITCH, Stephen SCANNELL

2009-10 - Gareth ANNESLEY, John CAIRNS

2010-11 - John CAIRNS

For the 2011-2012 season the UCU decided to hold an Ulster Blitz Championship over the holiday period, moving the Rapidplay Championship to a new Spring slot in the Calendar.

2012 - Michael WATERS

2013 - John MASTERSON

The 2013 Championship was held on Easter Monday. The 2014 and subsequent Championships saw the winner receiving the Arthur Cootes Memorial Cup.

2014 - Ciaran QUINN

2015 - Ciaran QUINN

2016 - Gabor HORVATH

2017 - Daniil ZELENCHUK

2018 - Nikhil JOSHI

2019 - Daniil ZELENCHUK

2020 - Danny ROBERTS

2021 - No Championship

2022 - Danny ROBERTS

2023 - Mandar TAHMANKAR

News
The New Year - Welcome - and Childrens Chess continues at Methodist College : Sat Jan 10th 2026 Young players gathered at Methodist College to compete in the monthly Chess tournaments. Players of all ages from P2 to ... Jan 13, 2026
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
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Upcoming Events
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
Sligo Chess & Culture Festival Jan 30th - Feb 8th 2026 The Sligo Chess and Culture Festival will have entertainment, social, cultural, and sporting activities, chess talks, wo... Jan 30, 2026 - Feb 08, 2026 — Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, Ireland
U1800 FIDE RATED Jamison Classical Chess Academy 2026 Sunday 8 February 2026 to Tuesday 10 February 2026 Venue:Maxwell Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6J... Feb 08, 2026 - Feb 10, 2026 — Maxwell Hall, 30 Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR
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