Great Games and Soaking Coats: November Freestyle Success at Derby Chess Club
Our November Special Event took place on the first Tuesday of the month, and although the torrential rain tried its best to keep everyone at home, twelve brave (and rather soggy) players still made their way to the club. Traffic delays, drenched jackets and steamed-up glasses couldn’t stop another great evening of freestyle chess — a format that continues to be a firm favourite at Derby.
Freestyle chess always delivers excitement, with players thrown into unusual positions and encouraged to follow their instincts. This month’s edition was no exception, producing sharp tactics, lively endgames, and more than a few “wait... where did my rook go?” moments.
Leonid Takes the Top Spot
Last year, George won both of our freestyle tournaments, but this time we had a new story. Leonid, playing in his first Derby freestyle event, delivered a superb performance and finished on a perfect 4/4. His final-round win against George was hard-fought and sealed a clear first place — an excellent debut!
Chris and Leonid bringing out their knights from the corner of the board, whilst in the background Matt and Jasmine ponder a complex position.
Just behind, George, David, and Chris all finished on 3 points, each showing strong form and keeping the event closely contested right to the end.
Further down, Alan, Josh, Asher, and Paul all picked up 2 points apiece, with several games going right down to the final seconds. Hugo, Matt, Al, and Jasmine all fought bravely throughout — great commitment from everyone, especially given the weather!
Final Standings (Top Places)
| Rank | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonid | 4 |
| 2= | George | 3 |
| 2= | David | 3 |
| 2= | Chris | 3 |
(Full results are available here)
Friendly Shield Update
This event also counted towards our Friendly Shield, our season-long, handicap-supported championship that rewards consistency, participation and improvement.
Following November’s results:
Chris remains at the top of the overall standings,
George and Josh are close behind,
and thanks to his perfect freestyle score, Leonid has now joined the chasing pack.
There’s still plenty to play for as we head into December — expect more movement on the leaderboard!
Next Event – Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Our next Special Event will be themed: “You should be scared of the Queen’s Gambit.”
Following October’s wildly-popular “Who’s Afraid of the King’s Gambit?” night, we’re now diving into its elegant but sharp queen-side sibling. Expect central tension, dynamic pawn play, and plenty of opportunities to surprise your opponent — or be surprised by them!
Whether you love the Queen’s Gambit, Decline it, Counter it, or quietly hope your opponent doesn’t know any theory — come along and enjoy the fun.
Kevin 07/11/25