Jessel, Stephen

Stephen Jessel, a 40-year-old Irish FIDE Master, is rated 2357 — just 28 short of his peak of 2385 (Apr 2017, age 31) and ranked 4th among Irish players, and in the top 1% worldwide. He is on a steady climb with +26 Elo over the past 12 months. 11 rated games in the past year (≈30/year long-term). Recent standard appearances include LCU Armstrong Cup 2025-2026 Rounds 5-6, Limerick Open 2025, and Nordestao de Xadrez Classico 2025. Also played 1 rapid event (including Circuito Baiano Pinto Paiva RPD V Etapa) recently. He took a 27-month break between Dec 2021 and Apr 2024. He reached Irish #4 in Dec 2016 and has been in Irish top 5 for 17 months and counting.

Competes for Ireland since Jul 2004. Awarded FM in 2006 (age 20). Earned IM norms at Team 2014 - Nationale 1, XXXIIIe Open de Metz - Open A 2015, 14e Festival de Meurthe-et-Moselle - Tournoi B 2016, and Team 2017 - Nationale 2. At junior level, he reached #2, #2 and #1 nationally in U20, U18 and U16.