News
Deep Thinking and Dynamic Play in Derby’s Queen’s Gambit Tournament
Derby Chess Club held a Queen’s Gambit themed tournament on 2 December 2025, with each round beginning from a different curated opening position. Leonid secured victory with a perfect score, rounding off an evening of rich strategy and competitive play.
Clutch Play at the Death Earns Derby A a Valuable Draw
Derby A fought back from 2–1 down to snatch a thrilling draw against champions Belper. A must-win queen ending saw Kevin hold his nerve and deliver the decisive moment of the night.
Derby C Fall 3–1 to Unbeaten Rolls Royce D
An unbeaten Rolls Royce D side proved too strong as Derby C fell 3–1 despite determined resistance. Carl’s well-constructed win ensured the team avoided a whitewash.
A Night to Remember: Derby E Claim Their First Competitive Victory
Derby E claimed their first Derby League victory with a spirited performance away to Belper, showcasing resilience and steady improvement across all four boards. In a match full of twists, first wins, and calm endgame nerves, the team’s Chess Forge journey reached an important early milestone.
White-knuckled victory against Belper for Derby D
In a gripping match full of tight positions and decisive moments, Derby D edged out Belper D 2½–1½. Determined play on the lower boards and a composed finish on Board 2 proved crucial.
Underrated but Undeterred: Derby B Overcome Chesterfield
Derby B rose to the challenge against higher-rated opposition, earning a brilliant 2½–1½ victory over Chesterfield. A trio of fighting draws and a thrilling Board 3 finish completed a memorable underdog triumph.
Caissa Smiles Again as Derby A Scramble to Victory
Derby A secured another narrow and hard-fought victory to move to the top of the table. A night filled with twists, errors and late drama eventually fell in our favour.
Blunders, Storms and a Big Win: Derby A Beat Breadsall
Derby A produced a remarkable turnaround to defeat title-challenging Breadsall on a night filled with tactical chaos and torrential rain. Big swings on the top boards sealed a memorable 2½–1½ victory.
Derby D Battle Hard in Spirited Match at Spondon
Derby D put up strong resistance against Spondon A, with competitive games across the boards despite a 3–1 defeat.
Hard Lessons, Steady Progress: Derby E’s Season Takes Shape
A team of newer players took to the boards for Derby E’s third match of the season, gaining more valuable experience against a strong Burton & Lichfield side. Although the visitors edged the result 2½–1½, the evening was full of learning, good spirit, and steady progress — everything the Chess Forge is about.
Great Games and Soaking Coats: November Freestyle Success at Derby Chess Club
Twelve determined players braved the downpour for our November Freestyle tournament, where newcomer Leonid took first place with a flawless score.
Derby B Defy Ratings to Take Point from Rolls-Royce A
A fine team effort saw Derby B share the points with Rolls-Royce A in a hard-fought Division 1 match.
Checkmate Seals a Draw for Derby D
Derby D shared the points with Rolls Royce E in a tightly contested Division 3 match, the result hinging on a tense final game that Garry Sands won to secure a 2–2 draw.
Honours Even as C Team Draw
The C Team gain their first point of the season with a well fought draw against Burton & Lichfield C.
Learning on the Road: Derby E Team Battle Hard in Belper
A completely new line-up travelled to Belper for the E team’s second Derbyshire League match, continuing the club’s aim of giving as many players as possible a taste of over-the-board chess. Despite a 3½–½ loss, the evening was full of learning, camaraderie, and the true spirit of the Chess Forge.
A Tough Evening for the B Team
A tough 4–0 loss for the B Team against a powerful Lichfield/Burton side, but plenty of determination was shown throughout. The team remain positive and ready to bounce back.
King’s Gambit Themed Tournament: Romantic Chess at Its Best
Derby Chess Club’s October tournament was themed around the King’s Gambit. Plenty of fireworks, during four rounds of high octane chess!
Derby C in Close Battle with Clay Cross A
Newly promoted Derby C played their opening match against one of the toughest opponents in the division. Despite a spirited fight they narrowly lost to Clay Cross A.
A Strong Start: Derby E Team Makes League Debut with a Draw
In their very first match the new E team exceeded expectations by achieving a draw against Wirksworth Feathers.
Traffic Fails to Prevent D Team Victory
The D team open their season with a win against Clay Cross B, despite some horrendous traffic north of Derby!