Rookies Games

From the get go, Rookie always include a game at the end of his column, more often than not a match between local players. Browse this unique snapshot of local chess reportage

Darby vs Kelly

Ballyfermot Open, Dublin Nov 1989

Darby vs Kelly - Read More…

Addidle vs Heape

King’s Gambit: Prestel tournament, 28/8/89

Addidle vs Heape - Read More…

Hunt vs Gillen

British under-12, Plymouth 11th August 1989

Hunt vs Gillen - Read More…

J.McLean vs M.Kelly

Junior Tournament, St. Patrick's Chess Festival, Castlebar, March 1983 Shows how dangerous a gambit can be

J.McLean vs M.Kelly - Read More…

P Carton vs M Kelly

Meanwhile, study this complicated game involving Northerners in Dundalk, in which Patrick Carton (Newcastle) boxed-in Martin Kelly (Fisherwick).

P Carton vs M Kelly - Read More…

N Carton vs P O'Hanlon

In this recent game from the Dundalk Open, the joint winners of the Newtownards Senior shows how attacking on both flanks pays dividends:

N Carton vs P O'Hanlon - Read More…

K McCann vs W Ginn

Kevin McCann's win over William Ginn and a tonic it proved as he was third in the Ulster Senior Schoolboys

K McCann vs W Ginn - Read More…

R Henderson vs H Beckett

This wee, the first seed in the Newcastle Major, Ron's recent rewarding run was rendered redundant

R Henderson vs H Beckett - Read More…

News
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
Ulster Masters 2025 – Results A 5 round FIDE-rated classic event was held at Lisburn Chess Club, Friday 14th November – Sunday 16th November. Nov 16, 2025
More news…
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Upcoming Events
FIDE RATED West Winds Newtownards Rapid Championship 2026 Saturday 17 January 2026. Check-in at 9:45am. The 6 rounds will be played back-to-back from 10am to 1:30pm Venue: West... Jan 17, 2026 09:45 AM - 01:30 PM — West Winds Community Centre, Dakota Ave, Newtownards, BT23 AQT
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
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