Brian Kelly (chess player)

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Brian Kelly (born 3 November 1978 in York, England) is an international chess player.

Although born in England, he later moved to Limerick, Republic of Ireland when he was 2 years old, and later to Belfast, Northern Ireland when he was 12. Both his parents are however Irish.^[1] As such he is able to compete for Ireland in international competitions.

He attained the title of International Master in 1998.^[2] His current FIDE rating is 2480, with a highest rating of 2504 achieved in July 2005.^[3]

Previously he won the Irish Chess Championship in 1995, in 1994 he won a Gold Medal at the Chess Olympiad playing on Board 6 for Ireland, as well as sharing first place in the Ulster Chess Championship.^[4].^[5] As of September 2006 he is rated as the strongest native Irish Chess player, although, could be placed behind others such as Alexander McDonnell on the all time list.^[6]^[7] He has captained both the Cambridge University and Methodist College Belfast teams during his career, and holds the record for the highest ever score obtained by an Irish player in the British Chess Championship.^[8]

Brian is also a Go player, and has achieved the rank of second kyu whilst playing in Britain. This also makes him one of the strongest Irish Go players.^[9]