The Irish Chess Union

One of Ireland’s top players Stephen Jessel, who came second in the 2014 Irish Championships has made his second IM norm at the 2015 Metz Open in France with a score of 4.5 for 9 and a gain of some 17 rating points. He joins the ranks of only a handful of Irish players who have achieved IM norms.

Players need to make three such IM norms at an international event and then get their rating over 2400 at least once in order to obtain the title of International Master. Aside from the players with IM Norms or those already with the IM title, currently only David Fitzsimons is close to the 2400 rating which he is expected to cross over on the May Fide rating list. Bringing him up to number four of the active Irish players on the Fide rating list.