Kevin O'Connell at the London Chess Conference, 2016, courtesy of John Upham Photography — Kevin O’Connell at the London Chess Conference, 2016, courtesy of John Upham Photography

BCN wishes happy birthday to FM Kevin O’Connell (28-viii-1949)

Kevin John O’Connell was born on Sunday, August 28th 1949 in London.

Kevin attended Ilford County High School and The University of Exeter followed by an MSc in Sports Sciences at The University of Exeter.

According to The Games of Robert J. Fischer :

“Kevin is an Essex county player and bulletin editor”.

According to How to Play the Sicilian Defence :

“Kevin O’Connell is editor of the FIDE Chess Yearbook, author of many other chess books and chess columnist of London’s Evening News”

From the Praxis Bath Zonal Tournament of 1987. Kevin J O'Connell is fourth from right — From the Praxis Bath Zonal Tournament of 1987. Kevin J O’Connell is fourth from right

Harry Golombek wrote in The Observer Magazine (about The Batsford Chess Yearbook 1975/6) :

“O’Connell has done his work extremely well and I found all the contents interesting”

Kevin O'Connell at the Lloyds Bank Open in 1977. Photograph courtesy of Lloyds Bank. — Kevin O’Connell at the Lloyds Bank Open in 1977. Photograph courtesy of Lloyds Bank.

and Leonard Barden wrote (of the same book) :

“Book of the year…this reviewer admits to consulting it more frequently than any other book on his shelf”

Kevin makes a telephone call communicating moves during a computer tournament.

Kevin was coach (they lived in the same road in Suffolk) to GM Nick Pert and IM Richard Pert

Kevin became a FIDE Master in 2006 and his peak rating (according to Felice) was 2360 in July 1993 at the age of 44.

From the Praxis Bath Zonal Tournament of 1987. Kevin J O'Connell is third from left — From the Praxis Bath Zonal Tournament of 1987. Kevin J O’Connell is third from left

Kevin became a FIDE International Arbiter (IA) in 1998. He was the FIDE Delegate for the Republic of Ireland and was Honorary Chairman and Secretary of the FIDE Chess in Education Commission (EDU) having retired from the roles in the last couple of years. He is also a FIDE Senior Trainer.