Tactical Fireworks and Time Trouble in 2–2 Draw
Derby E welcomed Belper F on Tuesday 10th February 2026 for a standalone Division 4 fixture — the only match taking place at the club that evening — and it proved to be an eventful and entertaining encounter that finished honours even at 2–2.
The team deep in thought, well into the middle stages of their games.
There was early promise of technological sophistication, as I had carefully wired up the DGT boards for automated reporting… only to discover that I had left my laptop at home. So much for seamless live transmission. Matters weren’t helped when, by 7:35, one of our players had yet to arrive. Thankfully, Chris had turned up for friendly games and was immediately drafted in as a late substitute — stepping in without hesitation.
Chris repaid that faith with the first result of the evening. Opting for a bold exchange early on, he traded bishop and knight for a rook and pawn. Although his opponent briefly seized central control, Chris kept his composure and weathered a series of checks before his two rooks combined decisively for a crisp back-rank mate. A calm and clinical performance, especially given the last-minute call-up.
On Board 2, Josh produced what he described as one of those games that “suddenly became alive in an instant.” The opening was balanced and patient, with both players organising their pieces carefully. The turning point came when the kingside began to open. Josh sensed the momentum shift, applied pressure, and the tactical chances followed naturally. A discovered attack on his opponent’s queen brought the game to an abrupt end — a well-judged and thoroughly enjoyable win.
David, on Board 3, fought gamely in a tough middlegame where he lost material but refused to go quietly. He made his opponent work hard in the ending, stretching the position and forcing accuracy. In the end, however, two separated passed pawns proved decisive; with his king unable to cover both promotion threats, the game was beyond saving. A stubborn and determined effort despite the result.
That left Duncan’s game as the final battle of the night — and it quickly drew a crowd of interested club members. Duncan admitted to a difficult start as Black, falling into what his opponent later called a “known trap.” After spending considerable time extricating himself from trouble, he rebuilt impressively, seized the initiative, and gained a material advantage in a sharp and open position. By the later stages, he felt he was clearly winning.
The problem was the clock. Having invested too much time solving earlier problems, Duncan found himself playing on the increment while his opponent still had fifteen minutes remaining. As the tension rose and the spectators gathered, precision gave way to urgency. Despite holding the better position, he ultimately ran out of time — a deeply frustrating end to what had been a dramatic and exciting game. As he reflected afterwards, once the disappointment fades, it will probably be remembered as a thrilling contest that brought “the crowds back to chess.”
With two wins apiece, the match on 10th February concluded at 2–2, a fair result in an evening that had everything: tactical fireworks, time scrambles, last-minute substitutions, and a reminder that even without live DGT coverage, league chess rarely lacks drama.
| Derby E | 2 - 2 | Belper F | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meikle, Duncan | 1525 | 0 - 1 | O'Brien, Michael | 1359 |
| 2 | Gahonia, Josh | 1455 | 1 - 0 | Davis, Dean | 1296 |
| 3 | Longworth, David | 1344 | 0 - 1 | Hughes, Stuart | 1233 |
| 4 | Lacey, Chris | 1337 | 1 - 0 | Morrell, Ian R | 1168 |
Kevin 15/02/26
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