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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
Annual General Meeting 2024 2023/2024 season is rapidly coming to a close and with this comes the announcement of the UCU’s Annual General Meeting... Apr 27, 2024
The last Childrens Chess of the Season. April 13th 2014 at Methodist College. The final competition of the Childrens Chess will determine the standings for the Belfast Scholastic Grand-Prix. With so... Apr 26, 2024
The league is coming to a finish. The Summer Tournament will begin in May. Easter is here and the chess continues. With FIDE rated tournaments organised by Brendan Jamison. The League is coming t... Mar 29, 2024
Childrens Chess Grandprix Standings after March 2024 Tournament. We have only one Childrens Chess Tournament left April 13th. We celebrate young chess talent at the end of year Award Ce... Mar 24, 2024
Childrens Chess Tournament at Methodist College on 9th March 2024 Our monthly schools events continues. With approx 28 pupils playing and solving chess puzzles at Methodist College. This... Mar 20, 2024
More news…
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Upcoming Events
The Summer Tournament begins Weds 1st May at Civil Service The Summer Tournament is at Civil Service Social Club starting Wednesday 1st May 2024 at the Maynard Sinclair Pavilion a... May 01, 2024 07:30 PM - 10:45 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
City of Belfast 2024 May 4th-6th Bank Holiday Weekend 6 rounds over 3 days. At the Civil Service Pavilion. May 04, 2024 - May 06, 2024 — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Delancey Schools UK Chess Challenge Belfast Megafinal Our Monthly Children's Chess Tournaments continues with the UK Chess Challenge Belfast Megafinal Sat 11th May - an oppor... May 11, 2024 09:45 AM - 05:00 PM — Methodist College,1 Malone Rd, Belfast BT9 6BY
Lisburn Chess Club City Championship 6 Round FIDE (pending confirmation) Classical Tournament May 25, 2024 - May 26, 2024 — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street, Lisburn
Ulster Fischer Random Rapidplay Championship 2024 7 rounds of Fischer Random Chess, Sunday 2nd June at the Civil Service Pavilion. Jun 02, 2024 10:30 AM - 06:00 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Upcoming events…