my guess

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Based on your response, I think you must have a refractory liner in the chimney, and that the mis-aligned bricks that concern your chimney sweep are the joints in the liner. These are normal, and there may even be some mortar at the liner joints that causes some roughness on the inside of the chimney. Because the liner fits together in an overlapping fashion, this is nothing to be concerned about. The fact you have infrequently had the chimney cleaned means these irregularities have not been removed over time by wire brush sweeping. All normal.

Its a pain when tradesmen give incomplete or alarming advice to consumers. Just proceed as normal, and next year when you have the chimney cleaned, the sweep should visually report what he sees. As long as the liner is intact and routinely maintained, the minor irregularities don't matter. This is not the same as having exposed brick surfaces that catch soot and crosote!