FM Brian Jones AM (1947–2025)
Wednesday, August 13, 2025: It is with deep sadness
that we announce the passing of FIDE Master Brian Jones, who died in Sydney at the age of 78. Born in the United Kingdom in 1947, Brian became a towering figure in Australian chess following his move to Australia in 1987 with his wife, Margaret, and their two children, Lee and Nancy—both of whom went on to become Australian junior champions shortly after their arrival.
Initially employed in the IT industry, Brian ultimately turned his lifelong passion for chess into a full-time vocation. Through Australian Chess Enterprises, he became not only a chess entrepreneur, but also a tireless administrator, organiser, and innovator.
Bringing with him a wealth of experience from the UK chess scene, Brian immediately set about improving the Australian chess landscape, which at the time was far less developed. A forward-thinking advocate for technology, he played a key role in introducing electronic chess clocks to Australian tournaments, generously lending his stock of DGT clocks to organisers before clubs could afford their own. When the Australian National University launched its “Carbon v Silicon” series of human-versus-computer matches, Brian provided strong chess programs for the computer side. He also introduced new tournament formats to Australia—including knockout events and single-day rapid tournaments—which he had successfully organised in England.
Among his many achievements, Brian was Chief Organiser of the 2003 Australian Open Chess Championship in Penrith, implementing a number of format changes still in use today. He went on to establish the Sydney International Open in Parramatta, which ran from 2007 to 2014 and became a fixture of the Australian chess calendar.
On the international stage, Brian made significant contributions to the growth of chess across Oceania. As FIDE Zone 3.6 President and founder of the Oceania Chess Confederation, he was instrumental in helping nations such as Palau, Guam, and the Solomon Islands join FIDE. He travelled extensively throughout the Pacific, both as a player and as an administrator, and served as Team Captain for Papua New Guinea at the 2008 Chess Olympiad in Dresden. He also held the position of Councillor on the FIDE Development Commission.
In 2003, Brian launched Chess Australia (later Australasian Chess), which served as Australia’s national chess magazine until 2013. This labour of love remains the last printed national magazine devoted to Australian tournament chess. During this period, he also revived the Australian Grand Prix series, securing sponsorship from the Myer family and noted Malaysian chess patron Dato’ Tan Chin Nam.
Later in life, Brian developed a deep interest in correspondence chess, serving as International Secretary for the Correspondence Chess League of Australia (CCLA). Ever the innovator, he organised the 2014 International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF) Congress in Sydney to showcase Australia’s contribution to the discipline. He championed the transition from postal to server-based correspondence chess and created popular new formats, including the much-loved “Bicycle” (non-engine) events. He was also the publisher of the Australian Correspondence Chess Quarterly, the official magazine of the CCLA.
Although poor health in later years limited his direct involvement in events, Brian remained a cherished presence at major tournaments in Sydney and Canberra. In recognition of his outstanding service to chess, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2022.
Brian Jones will be remembered with deep affection and respect by both the Australian and international chess communities. His legacy is one of vision, dedication, and generosity of spirit. He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret; son, Lee; daughter, Nancy; son-in-law, Grandmaster Gary Lane; and grandchildren, Jasmine and Ryan.