Bounce-Back Win Sends Derby A Back to the Top
On Thursday (22/01/26), Derby A produced a welcome bounce-back performance with a 3–1 victory away at Rolls-Royce B, a result that returned us to the top of the league and also gave a timely boost to our B team’s Division One survival hopes.
After last week’s derby-day defeat at the hands of our club-mates, improved composure and a touch of better fortune saw us come through a tense match in convincing fashion. At the halfway point of the season, we now hold a one-point lead over Belper A, although the defending champions could reclaim top spot via their game in hand ahead of our home clash on February 17.
We made a strong start against a Rolls-Royce B side anchored near the foot of the table when Steve overcame a long-standing nemesis in Eddie, the two finally renewing battle decades after their first encounter. In a Catalan-style English setup, Eddie captured early on c4 and looked comfortable, but Steve generated kingside counterplay before breaking through decisively with queen and light-squared bishop. It was Karpov versus Korchnoi—minus the sunglasses, psychological warfare, and under-the-table kicking.
Dave followed up by converting steady positional pressure in a closed middlegame with Black against Paul. After patiently nursing small advantages, he found the breakthrough to put us 2–0 ahead, though the match was still far from decided.
On board one, I faced Frank in a Nimzo-Indian from the White side. After a difficult middlegame, the tide turned when I steered the game into a rook ending with a dangerous passed d-pawn. With both of us short on time, the position wasn’t entirely clear-cut, but it was easier for me to apply pressure and pose questions.
Meanwhile, Kevin had defended well against Dave’s aggressive attacking attempts and emerged an exchange up, with a slight edge on the clock. Unfortunately, a missed discovered check was followed by a moment of panic, resulting in the loss of a rook and suddenly bringing the match back into contention.
Fortunately for us, just as that reversal unfolded, my game reached its climax. With Frank down to increment, a slip allowed my king to infiltrate and escort the passed pawn home, sealing the match victory.
A hard-fought and important win that puts us back where we want to be—top of the table.
| Rolls Royce B | 1 - 3 | Derby A | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond, Frank | 2011 | 0 - 1 | Tompson, John C | 2090 |
| 2 | Hatton, David | 1780 | 1 - 0 | Dalley, Kevin J | 1857 |
| 3 | Bromilow, Edward T | 1771 | 0 - 1 | Retout, Steve P | 1857 |
| 4 | Rutland, Paul | 1765 | 0 - 1 | Williams, David | 1825 |
John Tompson 24/01/26