Benko Gambit Night Adds a Twist to Derby’s Social Series

Derby Chess Club’s latest first Tuesday of the month social tournament (on 3/2/26) came with a special flavour, as the evening revolved around positions curated by our very own Benko Gambit specialist, Steve. Not only did Steve select the starting positions, he also shared practical advice before each round, giving players a valuable insight into the ideas behind the dynamic pawn sacrifice and the long-term pressure typical of Benko-style play.

Despite traffic problems in Mickleover and less-than-kind weather keeping numbers a little lower than usual, the night had a welcoming feel and introduced two potential new members, Siraj and Phil, who both got stuck in and enjoyed their first taste of a Derby social event.

On the chess side, it was an impressive evening for Dave, who has only been with the club since Christmas. He showed great consistency across the rounds to take clear first place, marking a notable early success in his Derby career. Close behind was Paul, another relative newcomer who joined the club this season, continuing to make his presence felt in club competitions.

Dave examines his options as White, while James awaits his response.

The event once again showed the strength of the club’s social series: themed positions, a bit of learning mixed in, and plenty of competitive but friendly chess. Thanks go to Steve for the preparation and guidance, and to everyone who braved the conditions to make it an enjoyable and instructive evening at Derby Chess Club.

The detailed results are available here.

Kevin