Underrated but Undeterred: Derby B Overcome Chesterfield
The B team pulled off a superb upset on a rainy night in Derby, defeating Chesterfield despite being outrated by an average of 180 points per board. With little expected beforehand, the team delivered one of their strongest performances of the season.
Stuart’s game on Board 4 was the first to finish. He appeared to have blundered an isolated central pawn in a standard Queen’s Pawn opening, but a hidden tactic meant that if the pawn were taken, his opponent’s queen would fall to a sacrificial bishop check followed by a discovered attack. After the complications resolved, the position simplified to an equal endgame, and a draw was sensibly agreed.
The next result came on Board 2, where my game was a whirlwind that lasted only 17 moves. Playing with the white pieces, I exposed my opponent’s king early and obtained a clearly winning position. One mistake swung much of the advantage back, however, and with the position becoming tactically volatile for both sides, the players chose to take the draw.
On Board 1, Skott played a steady, controlled game. Neither side found a feasible way to break through from the opening, and although he had a few weak pawns, he defended accurately, exchanged into a favourable rook-and-pawn ending, and secured another solid draw.
With the score level at 1½–1½, all eyes turned to Board 3, where David was fighting to decide the match. Facing the English Opening with the black pieces, he chose a King’s Indian Defence setup. Although White won a pawn, David generated active play on the kingside and eventually broke through with a bishop sacrifice that stripped away the pawns shielding the king.
As the position sharpened, he built up a significant time advantage while his opponent came under mounting pressure. An inaccuracy during the attack briefly turned the tables, allowing White to rebuild the defences and counterattack, and for a moment the game — and the match — appeared to be slipping away. Remaining calm, David weathered the storm, reorganised his pieces, and in mutual time trouble found a decisive attacking idea. A final surge with queen and rook delivered checkmate and secured the match-winning point.
The 2½–1½ victory was richly deserved and could prove crucial in Derby B’s battle to remain in the top division.
Justin Smith 21/11/25
| Derby B | 2½ - 1½ | Chesterfield A | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May, Skott K | 1800 | ½ - ½ | Ackley, Peter | 2099 |
| 2 | Smith, Justin | 1808 | ½ - ½ | Latham, David | 2032 |
| 3 | Smith, David | 1828 | 1 - 0 | Howard, D Martin | 1973 |
| 4 | Marshall, Stuart | 1697 | ½ - ½ | Bracey, Steve | 1752 |