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Chess Notes by Rookie

Between 1983 and 1990, a weekly column was published in the Irish News with the byline of Rookie
Chess Notes by Rookie

Rookie in 1984

Rookie, in real life the irrepressible Martin Kelly, published over 300 of his chess columns in the Irish Press. Fortunately for us, we have been able to gather cuttings of his column and add them to our archive including the regular game posted along with each issue. Usually these games were from local competitions giving us a unique insight into Ulster chess of the 80's.

During these years, Martin honed his Extreme Punning skills to grandmaster level; these days his weekly reports of Belfast South's League Results - some of which have crept on to this site - often have a pun-count in double-figures.

Additional material appeared sporadically in various local papers over the same period and some of these - usually with photos - have also been recovered and will be appearing here soon. These include Ireland's Saturday Night (the Pink), Belfast Newsletter, Belfast Telegraph, The Down Recorder, Andersonstown News and the County Down Spectator.

Indexes

Reports are listed in each seasons archive but you can access Rookie specific items from the following lists:

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
More news…
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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
Upcoming events…