The Derbyshire Chess Magazine and other sources of historical information
The first issue of the Derbyshire Chess Magazine, produced under the auspices of the Derbyshire Chess Association, was dated November 1969 and it continued, edited by David Meadows, well into the 1980s. It was in many ways a precursor of this website, and surviving copies provide a repository of information about Derbyshire chess history which is probably no longer available elsewhere. I kept a few copies myself, and this page will be gradually updated with a distillation of their content, mainly reports of county matches and other major team events, but also significant individual successes. The original magazines included full details of league matches and club and county championships, as well as short stories, articles about various world class players, reports of meetings and David’s often lengthy editorials, none of which I intend to reproduce, because it would simply be too time consuming. My magazines have taken a battering over the years, and there are many missing or torn pages which may well have contained items of interest.
Many of the matches were reported in articles by David Pearson which included detailed verbal descriptions of the play in individual games. I will attempt to summarise his comments without reproducing them verbatim, and will include my own observations if I was present. A few of the reports were by me.
Games, of varying quality, were often given in full. I won’t reproduce all of them, but the ones that in my opinion don’t contain too many gross blunders, aren’t too one-sided and have a logical flow will be included, with interactive diagrams and replay arrows.
The practice at the time was to give just initials and surnames, but I will give forenames where I know them.
The Chess Notes column in the Derby Evening Telegraph was started in the early 1960s by Maurice Hill. Maurice continued to write the column until 1971, after which it was taken over in turn by David Meadows, Richard Sissons, Mark Bullock, Gething Bowes, Tony Paulson and finally Harry Ratner, before being terminated by the newspaper in the 2000s. Chess Notes also provided detailed match reports, other local chess news and occasionally game scores. I have a number of cuttings which were saved by my late mother, and I will intersperse information from them with the DCM material.
Maurice has kindly lent me some early copies of the Derbyshire Chess Association bulletin which contain further interesting information dating back as far as 1959, which will also be added to this page, as will content from other bulletins as and when I discover them.
BCF Yearbook 1948
County match home v Leicestershire
Played at Derby Midland Institute on 20th March 1948. Colours not specified.
Derbys v Leics
| 1 | H Vernon Lord | 0.5-0.5 | V J A Russ |
| 2 | L Kenneth Ingram | 0-1 | P E Collier |
| 3 | Alan Wigmore | 0.5-0.5 | R A Wale |
| 4 | Alver Sutcliffe | 0.5-0.5 | D O Gould |
| 5 | J W Mills | 0.5-0.5 | C W Horsey |
| 6 | H P Huss | 0.5-0.5 | A U Busby |
| 7 | Lionel W Reay | 0-1 | Edwin B Chapman |
| 8 | H W Calvert | 0-1 | G E James |
| 9 | A C Hobbis | 0.5-0.5 | C H Thornton |
| 10 | W J Towers | 1-0 | R C Bishop |
| 11 | R Joe Hooton | 0-1 | J Gretton |
| 12 | R C H Allett | 0.5-0.5 | C S Geary |
| 13 | Doug Saunderson | 0.5-0.5 | W E Osborne |
| 14 | T Harris | 0.5-0.5 | G D Vines |
| 15 | L Hemstock | 0-1 | G A Rowley |
| 16 | Brian Huss | 0.5-0.5 | A A Castle |
| 17 | F J Lanspeary | 0-1 | C Carlin |
| 18 | H D Wright | 1-0 | Charles Cordel |
| 19 | H Gibbons | 0-1 | J Alster |
| 20 | H C Stone | 0.5-0.5 | R H V Moss |
| 21 | J Henry Stockton | 0.5-0.5 | R W Shaw |
| 22 | T W Walton | 0-1 | R Pruden |
| 23 | W H Emmerson | 0-1 | J G Everett |
| 24 | H S E How | 0.5-0.5 | W C Sherriff |
| 25 | J W Rains | 1-0 | G A E Simmons |
| 26 | R Harrison | 0.5-0.5 | H Dalby |
| 27 | George E Cammack | 0-1 | A E Dawes |
| 28 | F Eaton | 0.5-0.5 | P C O’Hara |
| 29 | W Pfell | 1-0 | A Lee |
| 30 | J P Walters | 0-1 | L J Allen |
| 31 | F P G Garlick | 0-1 | A Marriott |
| 11.5-19.5 |
DCA Bulletin 4th November 1959
County first team match home v Nottinghamshire
Played at the Mechanics Institute, Nottingham on 31st October 1959. Colours not specified.
Notts 1 v Derbys 1
| 1 | Ken Whyld | 1-0 | Otto H Hardy |
| 2 | Peter B Dodson | 1-0 | Lionel W Reay |
| 3 | George Allcock | 0.5-0.5 | Henry Morton |
| 4 | D C McKee | 1-0 | Wicenty Slowik |
| 5 | H Ratcliffe | 0.5-0.5 | R A O’Shea |
| 6 | John G Collins | 1-0 | I George Bowyer |
| 7 | G C Allen | 1-0 | J Grosberg |
| 8 | default | 0-1 | R Joe Hooton |
| 9 | A Farr | 1-0 | Alver Sutcliffe |
| 10 | L Linacre | 1-0 | Leslie C J Bird |
| 11 | M Hammett | 0-1 | George E Cammack |
| 12 | F E Beadles | 1-0 | Harold J Lee |
| 13 | Charles H Blasdale | 1-0 | Frank Murfin |
| 14 | D Rowlands | 0.5-0.5 | Roger L Baker |
| 15 | A J Payne | 1-0 | George Henderson |
| 16 | Reg G Thimann | 0-1 | Alwyn K Hobson |
| 17 | A Crooks | 0.5-0.5 | Arthur Randall |
| 18 | John G Cooper | 1-0 | Jane S Rees |
| 19 | L Clifford | 0.5-0.5 | T W Walton |
| 20 | C W Mansfield | 0-1 | Maurice J Hill |
| 21 | E W Ransome | 0-1 | Keith Humberstone |
| 22 | S R Elvin | 0-1 | W J Powers |
| 23 | G Simpson | 0.5-0.5 | B J C Brown |
| 24 | J Bradbury | 1-0 | H Watkins |
| 15-9 |
Midland Counties Second Teams Championship Final
Played at the Celanese club on 17th October 1959.
Derbyshire 2 v Warwickshire 2 (Warwicks white on odd)
| 1 | George E Cammack | 1-0 | T Harman |
| 2 | Harold J Lee | 0.5-0.5 | A J Coley |
| 3 | Jane S Rees | 0-1 | Jim A Tomlinson |
| 4 | Leslie C J Bird | 0-1 | N Crabtree |
| 5 | Arthur Severn | 0-1 | E V Wileman |
| 6 | George Henderson | 1-0 | R Johnson |
| 7 | C E Page | 0-1 | K Wilkinson |
| 8 | T Miner | 1-0 | G N Reason |
| 9 | Roger L Baker | 1-0 | Sheila A Corbyn |
| 10 | Maurice J Hill | 0.5-0.5 | M Tomlinson |
| 11 | Keith Humberstone | 0-1 | F A Baxter |
| 12 | Harold Harrison | 1-0 | F Hobbs |
| 13 | H Hughes | 0.5-0.5 | C Jeffries |
| 14 | B J C Brown | 1-0 | P Mellor |
| 15 | Arthur Randall | 1-0 | default |
| 8.5-6.5 |
The bulletin reported that Ritson Morry played a small simul against Derbyshire’s five reserves, the games having been finished before the tea break. Ritson’s score was given as 4.5-0.5 with wins against H Watkins, Keith Eccles, Bill Baker and Arthur Randall, and a draw against B J C Brown. The problem with this is that Brown was playing in the match!
DCA Bulletin 9th April 1960
County first team match away v Lincolnshire
Played at Lincoln on 23rd January 1960. Colours not specified.
Lincs 1 v Derbys 1
| 1 | John E Littlewood | 1-0 | Henry Morton |
| 2 | Leonard B Pawson | 0.5-0.5 | Doug Saunderson |
| 3 | K W Thorpe | 0-1 | Alan Wigmore |
| 4 | G H Simmons | 0-1 | Lionel W Reay |
| 5 | A W Mullard | 0-1 | Wicenty Slowik |
| 6 | P B Peart | 1-0 | R A O’Shea |
| 7 | M Brumby | 1-0 | I George Bowyer |
| 8 | S Wilson | 0.5-0.5 | R Joe Hooton |
| 9 | J H Staples | 0.5-0.5 | Alver Sutcliffe |
| 10 | O P Dixon | 0-1 | Harold J Lee |
| 11 | H Meier | 0-1 | George E Cammack |
| 12 | E Pollington | 1-0 | Alwyn K Hobson |
| 13 | E Robinson | 0.5-0.5 | Roger L Baker |
| 14 | T Milne | 0-1 | George Henderson |
| 15 | Chris C Williams | 0.5-0.5 | T W Walton |
| 16 | S E Gibbons | 1-0 | Maurice J Hill |
| 17 | George Renison | 0.5-0.5 | Frank Murfin |
| 18 | J Liebersbach | 1-0 | W J Powers |
| 19 | C R Green | 0-1 | Jane S Rees |
| 20 | G Bell | 0.5-0.5 | Brian B Barratt |
| 21 | C Hurren | 0-1 | Anthony J Gillam |
| 22 | A Gibson | 1-0 | T Miner |
| 10.5-11.5 |
County first team match away v Northamptonshire
Played at St Martins on 6th February 1960. Colours not specified.
Several Northants names were misspelt in the bulletin, and I’ve corrected the ones I know, but Canel on board 14 may be suspect.
Northants v Derbys 1
| 1 | G A Gautrey | 0.5-0.5 | Henry Morton |
| 2 | J T Cutler | 1-0 | Doug Saunderson |
| 3 | D R Leslie | 0-1 | Alan Wigmore |
| 4 | R Russell | 0.5-0.5 | Lionel W Reay |
| 5 | P L Greenfield | 0-1 | Wicenty Slowik |
| 6 | F E Dryden | 0-1 | R Joe Hooton |
| 7 | K Brown | 0-1 | I George Bowyer |
| 8 | N T Malden | 0.5-0.5 | Alver Sutcliffe |
| 9 | F Laundon | 0.5-0.5 | Alwyn K Hobson |
| 10 | J Cochran | 1-0 | Harold J Lee |
| 11 | P White | 1-0 | George E Cammack |
| 12 | C A Blaxley | 0-1 | George Henderson |
| 13 | T R Gutteridge | 0-1 | Roger L Baker |
| 14 | C Canel | 0.5-0.5 | T W Walton |
| 15 | John Sawiak | 1-0 | Maurice J Hill |
| 16 | R G Limbach | 0.5-0.5 | Jane S Rees |
| 7-9 |
DCA Bulletin 1963/4
County first team match away v Leicestershire
Played at Leicester on 26th October 1963. Colours not specified.
Leics 1 v Derbys 1
| 1 | Philip N Wallis | 0-1 | Alan Phillips |
| 2 | James E Scholes | 0.5-0.5 | Stan Gibbins |
| 3 | Alf Lenton | 0.5-0.5 | Henry Morton |
| 4 | Otto H Hardy | 0.5-0.5 | Doug Saunderson |
| 5 | R S Starosolsky | 0.5-0.5 | Wicenty Slowik |
| 6 | John V Dawkins | 1-0 | Alan Wigmore |
| 7 | H D Needham | 1-0 | Lionel W Reay |
| 8 | Michael H Miller | 1-0 | Anthony J Gillam |
| 9 | T O Marsden | 1-0 | Harold J Lee |
| 10 | John K Robinson | 1-0 | J B Crayston |
| 11 | J Alster | 1-0 | R Joe Hooton |
| 12 | Charles Cordel | 1-0 | default |
| 13 | D O Gould | 1-0 | default |
| 14 | Roger S Scowen | 1-0 | Terence A K Thomson |
| 15 | Dudley H Long | 1-0 | default |
| 16 | David J Masters | 1-0 | Roger L Baker |
| 17 | Basil G Wallis | 1-0 | R Ian Wilson |
| 18 | R C Bishop | 1-0 | A Princep |
| 19 | Patrick A Hogan | 0-1 | Raymond J Gamble |
| 20 | William Oakfield | 0-1 | George E Cammack |
| 21 | Edwin B Chapman | 1-0 | Alwyn K Hobson |
| 22 | Antony A Freyer | 0-1 | Maurice J Hill |
| 16-6 |
County first team match away v Lincolnshire
Played at Lincoln on 30th November 1963. Colours not specified.
Lincs 1 v Derbys 1
| 1 | John E Littlewood | 1-0 | Alan Phillips |
| 2 | G H Simmons | 0-1 | Henry Morton |
| 3 | B E Knowler | 0.5-0.5 | Doug Saunderson |
| 4 | J T Jarvis | 0-1 | Wicenty Slowik |
| 5 | Chris C Williams | 1-0 | Alan Wigmore |
| 6 | M A Howsman | 1-0 | J B Crayston |
| 7 | Jan C van Gemeren | 1-0 | Harold J Lee |
| 8 | J Gibson | 0.5-0.5 | Alver Sutcliffe |
| 9 | J P Ford | 0.5-0.5 | R Joe Hooton |
| 10 | A Cockcroft | 0.5-0.5 | Stephen Tatlow |
| 11 | A W Mullard | 0-1 | Terence A K Thomson |
| 12 | R J Tyler | 0.5-0.5 | Robert A Sutcliffe |
| 13 | E C Robinson | 0.5-0.5 | Raymond J Gamble |
| 14 | George Renison | 0-1 | Roger L Baker |
| 15 | O P Dixon | 0-1 | R C Mair |
| 16 | R Pollington | 0.5-0.5 | Alwyn K Hobson |
| 17 | M Pountney | 1-0 | Maurice J Hill |
| 18 | H Meier | 1-0 | George E Cammack |
| 19 | G W Hill | 0.5-0.5 | Keith Eccles |
| 20 | A C Hurren | 0-1 | T W Strangeways |
| 21 | S E Gibbons | 0-1 | David Pearson |
| 10-11 |
County first team match away v Nottinghamshire
Played at Nottingham on 25th January 1964. Colours not specified.
Notts 1 v Derbys 1
| 1 | Jim Tennant-Smith | 0.5-0.5 | Alan Phillips |
| 2 | Peter B Dodson | 0-1 | Stan Gibbins |
| 3 | George Alcock | 1-0 | Lionel W Reay |
| 4 | D C McKee | 1-0 | Doug Saunderson |
| 5 | N V A Hobbs | 1-0 | Wicenty Slowik |
| 6 | Reg G Thimann | 1-0 | Harold J Lee |
| 7 | A Farr | 0.5-0.5 | Alan Wigmore |
| 8 | H R F Hemmings | 0-1 | Anthony J Gillam |
| 9 | Charles H Blasdale | 0-1 | J B Crayston |
| 10 | D Greenwood | 1-0 | Alver Sutcliffe |
| 11 | Chris R Broadley | 0-1 | R Joe Hooton |
| 12 | J H Bradbury | 0.5-0.5 | R I Wilson |
| 13 | R H Mellor | 0-1 | Terence A K Thomson |
| 14 | H M Blackett | 0.5-0.5 | Robert A Sutcliffe |
| 15 | S R Elvin | 0-1 | Roger L Baker |
| 16 | H H L Levene | 0-1 | R C Mair |
| 17 | M Thompson | 0-1 | Raymond J Gamble |
| 18 | D R Anthony | 0-1 | George E Cammack |
| 19 | J Graham | 0-1 | Alwyn K Hobson |
| 20 | H F Bitton | 0-1 | Maurice J Hill |
| 21 | L H Clifford | 0-1 | Keith Eccles |
| 22 | R J Smith | 0-1 | David Pearson |
| 23 | D R Burton | 0-1 | David Welch |
| 7-16 |
DCA Bulletin 1964/5
County first team match v Lincolnshire
Played on 24th October 1964. No venue or colours specified.
Derbys 1 v Lincs 1
| 1 | Alan Phillips | 0-1 | John E Littlewood |
| 2 | Peter J Chapman | 1-0 | Jan C van Gemeren |
| 3 | Henry Morton | 1-0 | G H Simmons |
| 4 | Wicenty Slowik | 1-0 | B Knowles |
| 5 | Terence A K Thomson | 1-0 | Chris C Williams |
| 6 | Alan Wigmore | 1-0 | A Cockcroft |
| 7 | Lionel W Reay | 0-1 | J P Ford |
| 8 | Anthony J Gillam | 0.5-0.5 | J Gibson |
| 9 | Robert A Sutcliffe | 0-1 | R H W Polley |
| 10 | R Ian Wilson | 0-1 | R J Tyler |
| 11 | J B Crayston | 1-0 | E C Robinson |
| 12 | R Joe Hooton | 0-1 | George Renison |
| 13 | Harold J Lee | 1-0 | O P Dixon |
| 14 | David Pearson | 0.5-0.5 | E Pollington |
| 15 | Roger L Baker | 1-0 | H Meier |
| 16 | George E Cammack | 1-0 | J P Brown |
| 17 | Maurice J Hill | 1-0 | A C Hurren |
| 18 | Alwyn K Hobson | 1-0 | D G Streets |
| 19 | Peter M Bocock | 1-0 | K Mullard |
| 20 | Keith Eccles | 0-1 | C R Green |
| 21 | N G Burne | 1-0 | Mike H Colebrook |
| 22 | David J Meadows | 0-1 | A Goddard |
| 23 | David O F Skibinski | 1-0 | L W Cook |
| 15-8 |
County first team match v Nottinghamshire
Played on 28th November 1964. No venue or colours specified.
Derbys 1 v Notts 1
| 1 | Alan Phillips | 0.5-0.5 | Jim Tennant-Smith |
| 2 | Peter J Chapman | 0-1 | Keith B Richardson |
| 3 | Henry Morton | 1-0 | Ken Whyld |
| 4 | Doug Saunderson | 1-0 | D C McKee |
| 5 | Wicenty Slowik | 0-1 | Reg G Thimann |
| 6 | A Walker | 0-1 | N V A Hobbs |
| 7 | Alan Wigmore | 0.5-0.5 | A Farr |
| 8 | Terence A K Thomson | 0-1 | H R F Hemmings |
| 9 | Anthony J Gillam | 0-1 | F E Beadles |
| 10 | Lionel W Reay | 0-1 | E Brown |
| 11 | J B Crayston | 1-0 | Charles H Blasdale |
| 12 | David Pearson | 1-0 | M Bailey |
| 13 | R Ian Wilson | 1-0 | Chris R Broadley |
| 14 | R Joe Hooton | 1-0 | J H Bradbury |
| 15 | Harold J Lee | 0.5-0.5 | A Brown |
| 16 | Harold Harrison | 0-1 | Ray M Sayer |
| 17 | Robert A Sutcliffe | 0.5-0.5 | S R Elvin |
| 18 | Roger L Baker | 1-0 | M Thompson |
| 19 | Alwyn K Hobson | 0.5-0.5 | J Graham |
| 20 | Maurice J Hill | 1-0 | A Hutshouse |
| 21 | George E Cammack | 0-1 | W Raudenburch |
| 22 | Peter M Bocock | 1-0 | D R Burton |
| 23 | Anthony B Fisher | 1-0 | T Collard |
| 12.5-10.5 |
County first team match v Leicestershire
Played on 30th January 1965. No venue or colours specified.
Derbys 1 v Leics 1
| 1 | Alan Phillips | 1-0 | Wladyslaw Tabakiernik |
| 2 | Stan Gibbins | 0-1 | Philip N Wallis |
| 3 | Doug Saunderson | 0-1 | R S Starosolsky |
| 4 | Henry Morton | 0-1 | David G Levens |
| 5 | A Walker | 0-1 | G Hill |
| 6 | Wicenty Slowik | 1-0 | D O Gould |
| 7 | Raymond J Gamble | 0.5-0.5 | Charles Cordel |
| 8 | J B Crayston | 0.5-0.5 | H D Needham |
| 9 | Terence A K Thomson | 1-0 | T Marsden |
| 10 | Lionel W Reay | 0-1 | John K Robinson |
| 11 | Anthony J Gillam | 0.5-0.5 | A A Castle |
| 12 | A Princep | 0.5-0.5 | P E Collier |
| 13 | Jack H Wheeldon | 0-1 | Antony A Freyer |
| 14 | David Pearson | 0-1 | Basil G Wallis |
| 15 | R Joe Hooton | 0-1 | B Riddleston |
| 16 | Harold J Lee | 0.5-0.5 | Edwin B Chapman |
| 17 | Alwyn K Hobson | 0.5-0.5 | B A Foreman |
| 18 | Roger L Baker | 0-1 | K McLaughlin |
| 19 | Maurice J Hill | 1-0 | D C Smith |
| 20 | George E Cammack | 0-1 | Patrick A Hogan |
| 21 | Keith Eccles | 0-1 | G Bottley |
| 22 | Frank Murfin | 0-1 | B Norton |
| 23 | Anthony B Fisher | 0.5-0.5 | Michael H Cowley |
| 24 | David Simpson | 1-0 | David R Pratt |
| 8.5-15.5 |
DCA Bulletin 1967/8
County first team match home v Nottinghamshire
No venue, date or colours specified.
Derbys 1 v Notts 1
| 1 | Raymond J Gamble | 0-1 | Keith B Richardson |
| 2 | Doug Saunderson | 0-1 | Mark H Horton |
| 3 | Wicenty Slowik | 1-0 | Peter B Dodson |
| 4 | Geoff Bridges | 0-1 | Reg G Thimann |
| 5 | Jack H Wheeldon | 1-0 | H Teetson |
| 6 | David Pearson | 0-1 | John G Cooper |
| 7 | Peter M Bocock | 0-1 | Ken Whyld |
| 8 | David O F Skibinski | 0-1 | N V A Hobbs |
| 9 | R Joe Hooton | 1-0 | John G Collins |
| 10 | Norman Toon | 0-1 | R H Mellor |
| 11 | Maurice J Hill | 1-0 | Anthony J Gillam |
| 12 | Lionel W Reay | 0-1 | Chris T Kent |
| 13 | Steven M Shardlow | 0.5-0.5 | Alan Wigmore |
| 14 | Alwyn K Hobson | 1-0 | D Greenwood |
| 15 | M H Johnson | 0.5-0.5 | J Blumson |
| 16 | Keith Eccles | 0-1 | G P O’Kane |
| 17 | Tom Harrison | 0-1 | Charles H Blasdale |
| 18 | Tim Johnsen | 0.5-0.5 | Chris J Graves |
| 19 | R Alan Barton | 1-0 | A Farr |
| 20 | George Henderson | 1-0 | J Graham |
| 21 | Gordon Sandall | 0.5-0.5 | F W Ellis |
| 22 | David J Meadows | 1-0 | J K Bradbury |
| 23 | David S Barnes | 0.5-0.5 | R C Leese |
| 24 | Terry A Pearson | 1-0 | J A Cooksey |
| 11.5-12.5 |
County first team match away v Leicestershire
No venue, date or colours specified.
Leics 1 v Derbys 1
| 1 | Alf Lenton | 0.5-0.5 | Raymond J Gamble |
| 2 | Philip N Wallis | 1-0 | Doug Saunderson |
| 3 | Wladyslaw Tabakiernik | 1-0 | default |
| 4 | Peter D Sanderson | 1-0 | Jack H Wheeldon |
| 5 | Otto H Hardy | 1-0 | Geoff Bridges |
| 6 | R S Starosolsky | 1-0 | David Pearson |
| 7 | Charles Cordel | 1-0 | Peter M Bocock |
| 8 | John K Robinson | 1-0 | Harold J Lee |
| 9 | J M Tayler | 1-0 | R Joe Hooton |
| 10 | Basil G Wallis | 0-1 | David O F Skibinski |
| 11 | Patrick A Hogan | 0-1 | Maurice J Hill |
| 12 | L Alan Edwards | 0.5-0.5 | Norman Toon |
| 13 | D O Gould | 0.5-0.5 | Alwyn K Hobson |
| 14 | J Alster | 1-0 | Steven M Shardlow |
| 15 | Keith R Emerton | 1-0 | N Crabtree |
| 16 | B A Foreman | 0.5-0.5 | M H Johnson |
| 17 | Ewen C Cameron | 1-0 | R Alan Barton |
| 18 | D Cowley | 1-0 | Tim Johnsen |
| 19 | Peter G Killick | 1-0 | Keith Eccles |
| 20 | A F Warren | 1-0 | Tom Harrison |
| 21 | A A Castle | 0-1 | George Henderson |
| 22 | Antony A Freyer | 1-0 | Gordon Sandall |
| 23 | Edwin B Chapman | 1-0 | Terry A Pearson |
| 24 | Richard G Truman | 0.5-0.5 | Harry A J Ratner |
| 18.5-5.5 |
County first team match home v Lincolnshire
Played at the Celanese club on 10th February 1968.
Derbys 1 v Lincs 1 (Lincs white on odd)
| 1 | Raymond J Gamble | 0.5-0.5 | D G Streets |
| 2 | Doug Saunderson | 0-1 | A Cockcroft |
| 3 | Wicenty Slowik | 1-0 | J P Ford |
| 4 | David Pearson | 1-0 | Paul A Hutchinson |
| 5 | Peter M Bocock | 1-0 | G H Simmons |
| 6 | J E Freeman | 0-1 | M Goll |
| 7 | Geoff Bridges | 1-0 | Norman J Davies |
| 8 | Harold J Lee | 1-0 | David A Hutchinson |
| 9 | R Joe Hooton | 0.5-0.5 | K Goodey |
| 10 | Maurice J Hill | 1-0 | E C Robinson |
| 11 | David O F Skibinski | 1-0 | R J Tyler |
| 12 | Norman Toon | 0.5-0.5 | G R Keer |
| 13 | David W Heelan | 1-0 | J Gibson |
| 14 | N Crabtree | 0-1 | George Renison |
| 15 | Alwyn K Hobson | 0-1 | R J Ballard |
| 16 | Steven M Shardlow | 1-0 | default |
| 17 | M H Johnson | 1-0 | S Bolton |
| 18 | George Henderson | 1-0 | S Lay |
| 19 | Tom Harrison | 1-0 | E Pollington |
| 20 | R Alan Barton | 1-0 | A Burman |
| 21 | Keith Eccles | 0.5-0.5 | R T Jones |
| 22 | Roger L Baker | 1-0 | J Day |
| 23 | Gordon Sandall | 1-0 | J Pockington |
| 24 | David S Barnes | 1-0 | K Cockcroft |
| 18-6 |
SCCU bulletin June 1967
Inter-Union Competition semi-final SCCU v MCCU
Several Derbyshire players were members of the MCCU team in this match which was played at Bicester on 13th May 1967.
SCCU v MCCU (SCCU white on odd)
| 1 | Jonathan Penrose | 0.5-0.5 | John A Lawrence |
| 2 | Raymond D Keene | 1-0 | David W Anderton |
| 3 | Robert G Wade | 0.5-0.5 | Peter C Griffiths |
| 4 | Raaphy J A Persitz | 1-0 | W Ritson Morry |
| 5 | Michael Macdonald-Ross | 1-0 | Philip N Wallis |
| 6 | Andrew J Whiteley | 1-0 | Raymond J Gamble |
| 7 | P Stuart Milner-Barry | 1-0 | Otto H Hardy |
| 8 | J G Brogden | 1-0 | Geoffrey N Stokes |
| 9 | Harold Israel | 0.5-0.5 | Victor G Jensen |
| 10 | Martin Blaine | 0.5-0.5 | S J Wallace |
| 11 | Terry C Fox | 1-0 | D O Gould |
| 12 | N Anthony Perkins | 0-1 | J R Crompton |
| 13 | Philip L Roe | 0.5-0.5 | H R Lanchbury |
| 14 | Harry I Woolverton | 1-0 | Patrick A Hogan |
| 15 | Ronald F Harman | 1-0 | Jan C van Gemeren |
| 16 | Julian T Farrand | 0.5-0.5 | P J Jackson |
| 17 | G H Govas | 1-0 | H D Needham |
| 18 | Ivor B N Smith | 0.5-0.5 | Hugh Gemmell |
| 19 | William E B Pryer | 0.5-0.5 | A Sedler |
| 20 | R E Spurgeon | 0.5-0.5 | L B Edwards |
| 21 | Martin H Hawley | 0-1 | J F Green |
| 22 | Lawrence A J Glyde | 0.5-0.5 | Wicenty Slowik |
| 23 | Charles L Tadiello | 1-0 | Basil G Wallis |
| 24 | M R Porter | 0-1 | Robert S McFarland |
| 25 | Alex Niedzwiedzki | 0.5-0.5 | A Cockcroft |
| 26 | S G Hill | 0-1 | David Pearson |
| 27 | Jerome V Ripp | 1-0 | Ewen C Cameron |
| 28 | Keith G Hyde | 1-0 | David Welch |
| 29 | A J Morrell | 0-1 | C Schalche |
| 30 | W A (Sandy) Cordon | 1-0 | default |
| 31 | T Spurgeon | 1-0 | R H Tracey |
| 32 | Chris W Johns | 0.5-0.5 | Keith R Emerton |
| 33 | Dinah M Dobson | 0.5-0.5 | Roy Woodcock |
| 34 | John A Feavyour | 1-0 | J Gibson |
| 35 | Paul E O Durrant | 1-0 | B J Ellis |
| 36 | R L Owen | 0.5-0.5 | N F Warren |
| 37 | A Brooks | 0.5-0.5 | Edward W Nottingham |
| 38 | A Cohen | 0.5-0.5 | Mrs Ingram |
| 39 | R Luscombe | 1-0 | R J Johnson |
| 40 | K O’Connell | 1-0 | Miss Sedgby |
| 26.5-13.5 |
Chess Notes 8th April 1968
Inter-league match Derby and District v North Staffordshire
Played at the Rolls-Royce Social Centre, Derby on 6th April 1968. The report did not appear in a Chess Notes column, but was printed on page 19 of the DET on Monday 8th April 1968.
Derby League v North Staffs League (Derby white on odd)
| 1 | Maurice J Hill | 0-1 | Richard A Beach |
| 2 | David W Heelan | 0-1 | Harry Russell |
| 3 | Erich Leitner | 0-1 | Philip J Gregory |
| 4 | R Alan Barton | 0-1 | T M Deaville |
| 5 | Kevin R Crisp | 1-0 | M C Wright |
| 6 | Edward Martin | 0-1 | A M J Hutchings |
| 7 | Ken H Cholerton | 0.5-0.5 | F Saunders |
| 8 | Harry A J Ratner | 0-1 | P Paskin |
| 9 | Z Julius P Mach | 1-0 | P V Malbon |
| 10 | C J Ryde | 0-1 | P Griffin |
| 11 | Paul I Hardstaff | 1-0 | A C Finney |
| 12 | William G Coyle | 0.5-0.5 | W Dale |
| 13 | Robert G Monk | 1-0 | M W Buck |
| 14 | Jeff K Wright | 1-0 | Michael L Hancock |
| 15 | J Mick Asher | 0.5-0.5 | F Rowley |
| 16 | P Cook | 0-1 | D J Ward |
| 17 | P T Allwright | 0.5-0.5 | G Hemmings |
| 18 | A C Carter | 0.5-0.5 | W Foley |
| 19 | Mike J Alderson | 0.5-0.5 | D Morris |
| 20 | L Mike Rose | 0-1 | D Walton |
| 8-12 |
Chess Notes 18th October 1968
Inter-league match North Staffordshire v Derby and District
Played at Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent on 12th October 1968.
North Staffs League v Derby League (Staffs white on odd)
| 1 | Richard A Beach | 1-0 | Maurice J Hill |
| 2 | Henry Morton | 0.5-0.5 | David W Heelan |
| 3 | M C Wright | 1-0 | Ken H Cholerton |
| 4 | T M Deaville | 1-0 | N Mark Stevens |
| 5 | John R Day | 1-0 | Z Julius P Mach |
| 6 | P V Malbon | 1-0 | Harry A J Ratner |
| 7 | F Cooper | 0-1 | Robert G Monk |
| 8 | F Saunders | 1-0 | M McGuire |
| 9 | P Paskin | 1-0 | John Pearson |
| 10 | A C Finney | 0-1 | John R Conway |
| 11 | D Walton | 0.5-0.5 | David J Meadows |
| 12 | Michael L Hancock | 1-0 | Mike J Alderson |
| 13 | W Dale | 1-0 | Chris J Hardstaff |
| 14 | D E L Crawley | 0.5-0.5 | J Mick Asher |
| 15 | J A Scott | 1-0 | A C Carter |
| 16 | L A Landon | 0-1 | Mick J Lezala |
| 17 | P Griffin | 1-0 | Sean R Walters |
| 18 | P Brackner | 1-0 | Brian Simpson |
| 19 | M Wilder | 1-0 | R Hislop |
| 20 | D Morris | 0-1 | E A John Woodall |
| 21 | G Hemmings | 0.5-0.5 | Stuart J Bint |
| 15-6 |
Chess Notes 25th October 1968
County first and second team matches home v Leicestershire
Played at the Celanese club on 19th October 1968.
Derbys 1 v Leics 1 (Leics white on odd)
| 1 | R Alan Barton | 0-1 | Philip N Wallis |
| 2 | Doug Saunderson | 1-0 | Otto H Hardy |
| 3 | Raymond J Gamble | 0.5-0.5 | Charles Cordel |
| 4 | default | 0-1 | J M Tayler |
| 5 | J Freeman | 0.5-0.5 | Basil G Wallis |
| 6 | David Pearson | 0.5-0.5 | Alan N Morris |
| 7 | Maurice J Hill | 0-1 | M J Burbidge |
| 8 | Harold J Lee | 0-1 | Dennis R Cowley |
| 9 | M H Johnson | 1-0 | A A Castle |
| 10 | R Joe Hooton | 0-1 | W A Cooper |
| 11 | Robert A Sutcliffe | 0.5-0.5 | D O Gould |
| 12 | David W Heelan | 0.5-0.5 | W J Tyers |
| 13 | George Henderson | 0.5-0.5 | J Alster |
| 14 | Pete M Bocock | 0-1 | W Oakfield |
| 15 | Tom Harrison | 0.5-0.5 | Geoff D Carlin |
| 16 | Steven M Shardlow | 0-1 | Antony A Freyer |
| 17 | Alwyn K Hobson | 0.5-0.5 | Patrick A Hogan |
| 18 | Tim J Johnsen | 0.5-0.5 | Mike R Stokes |
| 19 | David S Barnes | 0.5-0.5 | Jack A Marlow |
| 20 | N Cecil Lewis | 0-1 | J M Cudworth |
| 7-13 |
This occasion was my first experience of county chess and I have a few recollections:
Board 1 – Phil gradually outplayed Alan in an O’Kelly Sicilian.
Board 2 – Doug played a Réti/KIA or similar and at an early stage he had his queen on a8, a bishop on h8 and both of Otto’s rooks had disappeared. I think Otto had just resigned at that point, being two exchanges down.
Board 3 – Ray’s game on the other hand went the full distance. In a Dutch Stonewall, the pawn structure remained static, and at the close of play analysis session Phil Wallis was trying to find a way for Charles to infiltrate with his king via f4 and e5.
Derbys 2 v Leics 2 (Leics white on odd)
| 1 | Kevin R Crisp | 0-1 | D Legg |
| 2 | Keith Eccles | 0-1 | D R Picken |
| 3 | Z Julius P Mach | 0-1 | E Kit |
| 4 | William G Coyle | 0.5-0.5 | B Neil Beasley |
| 5 | Richard I Sissons | 0-1 | Michael H Cowley |
| 6 | Ken H Cholerton | 0.5-0.5 | Brian T Shuter |
| 7 | David J Meadows | 0.5-0.5 | David R Pratt |
| 8 | Graham Jackson | 1-0 | F C Talton |
| 9 | N Mark Stevens | 0-1 | I C MacGillivary |
| 10 | D G Lewis | 0-1 | M Illingworth |
| 11 | Harry Poopuu | 1-0 | J Bees |
| 12 | Terry A Pearson | 0.5-0.5 | T E Palmer |
| 13 | Frank Murfin | 0-1 | Andy J Morley |
| 14 | Harry A J Ratner | 1-0 | D Oyston |
| 15 | L Mike Rose | 0-1 | J McAleavy |
| 16 | Peter C Hinds | 0.5-0.5 | C Knight |
| 17 | Mike J Alderson | 0.5-0.5 | R W Edington |
| 18 | E L Rutherford | 0-1 | H W Tharp |
| 19 | Robert G Monk | 1-0 | K W G Fletcher |
| 20 | John R Conway | 0-1 | J A Morley |
| 7-13 |
Chess Notes 22nd November 1968
County first team match home v Lincolnshire
Played on 16th November 1968, likely at the Celanese club, although neither venue nor colours were specified.
Derbys 1 v Lincs 1
| 1 | R Alan Barton | 1-0 | A Cockcroft |
| 2 | Doug Saunderson | 0-1 | Paul A Hutchinson |
| 3 | Raymond J Gamble | 0.5-0.5 | J P Ford |
| 4 | Wicenty Slowik | 1-0 | T R Gutteridge |
| 5 | Maurice J Hill | 0-1 | Norman J Davies |
| 6 | J Freeman | 0-1 | Ted W Nottingham |
| 7 | David Pearson | 1-0 | David A Hutchinson |
| 8 | M H Johnson | 0-1 | George Renison |
| 9 | David Welch | 1-0 | default |
| 10 | Harold J Lee | 0-1 | D G Smith |
| 11 | R Joe Hooton | 1-0 | default |
| 12 | Robert A Sutcliffe | 0-1 | S Bolton |
| 13 | David W Heelan | 1-0 | B Bramham |
| 14 | George Henderson | 1-0 | default |
| 15 | Tom Harrison | 0.5-0.5 | J Pockington |
| 16 | Jim A Tomlinson | 1-0 | K Cockcroft |
| 17 | Alwyn K Hobson | 0-1 | E W Creasey |
| 18 | Tim J Johnsen | 1-0 | default |
| 19 | Keith Eccles | 1-0 | default |
| 20 | W Dubrawski | 1-0 | default |
| 12-8 |
County second team match away v Nottinghamshire
Played at Nottingham on 16th November 1968.
Notts 2 v Derbys 2 (Derbys white on odd)
| 1 | John T Hearson | 1-0 | default |
| 2 | S Kisiel | 0-1 | Ken H Cholerton |
| 3 | J R Cooksey | 0.5-0.5 | Harry Poopuu |
| 4 | J Graham | 0.5-0.5 | Terry A Pearson |
| 5 | Ray M Sayer | 0.5-0.5 | Harry A J Ratner |
| 6 | John Hnydiw | 0.5-0.5 | David J Meadows |
| 7 | J K Bradbury | 0-1 | Z Julius P Mach |
| 8 | D R Anthony | 1-0 | Robert G Monk |
| 9 | R S Haynes | 1-0 | John Pearson |
| 10 | Neil Graham | 0.5-0.5 | N Mark Stevens |
| 11 | S R Elvin | 0-1 | Richard I Sissons |
| 12 | D R Burton | 1-0 | George Moorcroft |
| 13 | D Leverton | 0.5-0.5 | Peter C Hinds |
| 14 | G M Lewis | 0.5-0.5 | Mike J Alderson |
| 15 | H Barnes | 1-0 | Frank Murfin |
| 16 | C Pratt | 0-1 | John R Conway |
| 17 | Ken G E Morrison | 0.5-0.5 | Brian Simpson |
| 18 | F W Ellis | 0-1 | L Mike Rose |
| 19 | R G A Turton | 1-0 | David W Ordish |
| 20 | A Anstey | 1-0 | default |
| 11-9 |
British Lightning Championship
The column reported that three local players entered the British individual lightning championship, which was won for the third year running by Bernard Cafferty. Alan Barton scored 4.5/8 (8=); David Pearson scored 4/8 (11=); and Pete Bocock scored 3.5/8 (16=).
DCA Bulletin 1968/9
East Midlands Junior Jamboree
Played at Derby College of Art and Technology, Kedleston Road on 4th February 1969.
| 1 | M J Burbidge | Leics | 1-0 | Steven M Shardlow | Derbys |
| X | Peter C Hinds | Derbys (2) | 0-1 | K Stendall | Notts (1) |
| 2 | A Charlton | Notts | 0-1 | Peter G Killick | Leics |
| 3 | Richard G Truman | Leics | 1-0 | S Hazeldine | Notts |
| X | Neil Graham | Notts (4) | 1-0 | Kevin R Crisp | Derbys (3) |
| 4 | Richard I Sissons | Derbys | 0-1 | Alan N Morris | Leics |
| 5 | David I Patrick | Leics | 1-0 | Z Julius P Mach | Derbys |
| X | John R Conway | Derbys (6) | 1-0 | Mike D Smith | Notts (5) |
| 6 | R Keeling | Notts | 0-1 | P Sawski | Leics |
| 7 | Andy J Morley | Leics | 0.5-0.5 | Peter J Sharp | Notts |
| X | Ken G E Morrison | Notts (8) | 1-0 | Robert G Monk | Derbys (7) |
| 8 | Paul P Jackson | Derbys | 1-0 | Mark I Hassall | Leics |
| 9 | G Hutchinson | Leics | 1-0 | N Mark Stevens | Derbys |
| X | Jeff K Wright | Derbys (10) | 1-0 | default | Notts (9) |
| 10 | S Sharp | Notts | 0.5-0.5 | R Smith | Leics |
| 11 | Malcolm R Major | Leics | 0-1 | D Nicholson | Notts |
| X | S C Jenkins | Notts (12) | 1-0 | default | Derbys (11) |
| 12 | K Mick Bramley | Derbys | 1-0 | A E Millward | Leics |
1. Leicestershire 8
2. Nottinghamshire 6
3. Derbyshire 4
Leicestershire went on to beat Staffordshire in the final.
I was the Derbyshire default on board 11. When our Bemrose School captain Steve Shardlow informed me of the event, I asked him where the venue was and he replied simply “Derby Tech”, assuming that I knew where it was. I didn’t, but not wishing to appear ignorant, I left it at that and asked my dad the address when I got home from school. Unfortunately, he thought the Derby Technical College was still based at Normanton Road, whereas it had in fact merged with the Derby Art College four or five years previously and moved to the new Kedleston Road site now occupied by Derby University. By the time I’d realised that there was no college on Normanton Road, found someone who knew where it actually was, and walked all the way to the venue, I had been defaulted.
Chess Notes 21st February 1969
County second team match home v Northamptonshire
Played at the Celanese club on 15th February 1969.
Derbys 2 v Northants (Derbys white on odd)
| 1 | Ken H Cholerton | 0.5-0.5 | N V A Hobbs |
| 2 | Z Julius P Mach | 0-1 | G A Gautrey |
| 3 | Harry A J Ratner | 0.5-0.5 | John Sawiak |
| 4 | Brian Simpson | 1-0 | J Warden |
| 5 | Richard I Sissons | 0.5-0.5 | G D Tippleston |
| 6 | John R Conway | 0-1 | M Clarke |
| 7 | Terry A Pearson | 1-0 | D White |
| 8 | default | 0-1 | M Hart |
| 9 | Mike J Alderson | 0.5-0.5 | Janis Dudins |
| 10 | Robert G Monk | 1-0 | D Edgington |
| 11 | David J Meadows | 0.5-0.5 | Nigel H Turner |
| 12 | John Pearson | 0.5-0.5 | William W Cooke |
| 13 | Frank Murfin | 0-1 | J Bogovics |
| 14 | Philip C Clarke | 0.5-0.5 | W Green |
| 15 | David W Ordish | 0-1 | Julian G Piasecki |
| 16 | default | 0-1 | A Brown |
| 17 | default | 0-1 | J Higginbottom |
| 18 | default | 0-1 | J C Cochran |
| 19 | default | 0-1 | J C Wood |
| 20 | default | 0-1 | K Blott |
| 6.5-13.5 |
Chess Notes 21st March 1969
County second team match away v Huntingdon & Peterborough
Played at Stamford on 15th March 1969. Before play, the Mayor of Stamford delivered a speech of welcome to the players for the first inter-county chess match to be staged in the town for 14 years.
Huntingdon & Peterborough v Derbys 2 (H&P white on odd)
| 1 | A Abuls | 1-0 | Maurice J Hill |
| 2 | T Janikowski | 0.5-0.5 | Harry A J Ratner |
| 3 | F Don Rogers | 1-0 | Steven M Shardlow |
| 4 | J Benney | 0-1 | Harry Poopuu |
| 5 | Tom Hazel | 0.5-0.5 | William G Coyle |
| 6 | Colin Gildon | 1-0 | default |
| 7 | T Grimolday | 0.5-0.5 | Z Julius P Mach |
| 8 | L D Cowan | 1-0 | default |
| 9 | C Ison | 0-1 | John R Conway |
| 10 | T Hulber | 0-1 | Richard I Sissons |
| 11 | Norman Wedley | 0-1 | N Mark Stevens |
| 12 | J Brading | 1-0 | Robert G Monk |
| 13 | J Munns | 0.5-0.5 | Jeff K Wright |
| 14 | D L Kennett | 1-0 | Mike J Alderson |
| 15 | A Foster | 1-0 | default |
| 16 | I Jones | 0-1 | Philip C Clarke |
| 17 | R Conway | 1-0 | David J Meadows |
| 18 | M Jeffreys | 0-1 | Frank Murfin |
| 19 | A Willacey | 1-0 | David W Ordish |
| 11-8 |
DCA Bulletin 1968/9
County first team match away v Nottinghamshire
Played at the Mechanics Institute, Nottingham on 25th January 1969. No colours specified.
Notts 1 v Derbys 1
| 1 | Keith B Richardson | 1-0 | R Alan Barton |
| 2 | Mark H Horton | 1-0 | Doug Saunderson |
| 3 | Chris T Kent | 1-0 | Raymond J Gamble |
| 4 | Andrew N Walker | 1-0 | Wicenty Slowik |
| 5 | Peter B Dodson | 0-1 | David Pearson |
| 6 | Reg G Thimann | 0.5-0.5 | M H Johnson |
| 7 | John G Cooper | 1-0 | David W Heelan |
| 8 | J Blumson | 1-0 | David Welch |
| 9 | John G Collins | 1-0 | Maurice J Hill |
| 10 | William F Ray | 0.5-0.5 | Robert A Sutcliffe |
| 11 | R H Mellor | 1-0 | Harold J Lee |
| 12 | M White | 1-0 | R Joe Hooton |
| 13 | Anthony J Gillam | 0.5-0.5 | Jim A Tomlinson |
| 14 | Chris J Graves | 1-0 | George Henderson |
| 15 | Alan Wigmore | 0-1 | Tom Harrison |
| 16 | John T Hearson | 0.5-0.5 | David S Barnes |
| 17 | K Shaw | 0.5-0.5 | Steven M Shardlow |
| 18 | A Harding | 0-1 | Alwyn K Hobson |
| 19 | B Hughes | 0.5-0.5 | Peter C Hinds |
| 20 | Charles H Blasdale | 1-0 | default |
| 21 | Neil Graham | 1-0 | D G Lewis |
| 22 | D Greenwood | 1-0 | Terry A Pearson |
| 23 | G M J Lewis | 0-1 | Harry A J Ratner |
| 24 | J Graham | 0.5-0.5 | David J Meadows |
| 16.5-7.5 |
DCM No.1 November 1969 Price 6d
County first team match home v Nottinghamshire
This match was played on 25th October 1969 at Peartree Baptist Church Hall, Peartree Road, as the then usual venue at the British Celanese Sports Pavilion was unavailable. The responsibility for catering and furniture moving fell to the team, and David Pearson, who would ordinarily have been playing on a high board, delegated himself to this role and reported the match for the DCM.
Derbys 1 v Notts 1 (Notts white on odd)
| 1 | David W Heelan | 0-1 | Keith B Richardson |
| 2 | Raymond J Gamble | adj | Mark H Horton |
| 3 | Wicenty Slowik | adj | Reg G Thimann |
| 4 | Steven M Shardlow | 0-1 | Andrew N Walker |
| 5 | Doug Saunderson | 1-0 | Peter B Dodson |
| 6 | Erich Leitner | 1-0 | John G Collins |
| 7 | Tom Harrison | 0-1 | Chris T Kent |
| 8 | Geoff Bridges | 0-1 | J Blumson |
| 9 | Maurice J Hill | 0.5-0.5 | John G Cooper |
| 10 | R Joe Hooton | 1-0 | John H Gardener |
| 11 | R Alan Barton | 1-0 | N Edmonds |
| 12 | Harold J Lee | 0-1 | Charles H Blasdale |
| 13 | Peter C Hinds | 0-1 | Peter J Sharp |
| 14 | David J Meadows | 0-1 | D Greenwood |
| 15 | Roger L Baker | 0-1 | R A Harding |
| 16 | George Henderson | 0-1 | A Charlton |
| 17 | Richard I Sissons | 0-1 | J Keith Walters |
| 18 | Mike J Alderson | 0-1 | Ian Graham |
| 19 | J N Spencer | 0.5-0.5 | G M Lewis |
| 20 | L A Verity | 0.5-0.5 | R S Haynes |
5.5-12.5 (plus 2 for adjudication) 5.5-12.5(+ 2 for adjudication)
Board 1 – Dave played the Petroff but Keith transposed to the Four Knights and built up an e and f-pawn steamroller supported by rooks on e1 and f1. Dave lost the exchange and Keith finished with a mating attack.
Board 2 – Mark played a KID setup against Ray’s Colle and attacked in the centre. Ray defended soundly but his game became passive. At the close of play Mark was clearly better, but had no obvious win and the game was sent for adjudication.
Board 3 – Reg replied to Vince’s Alekhine with 2.Nc3, and after queens were exchanged at an early stage he castled long and established a strong bind with the black king unable to castle. Vince defended tenaciously and a series of exchanges led to an unclear knight and pawn endgame which was also sent for adjudication.
Board 4 – Steve declined Andy’s Albin Counter Gambit and had to defend against strong queenside pressure. Eventually Andy switched his attack to the kingside and Steve was mated.
Boards 5 and 6 – the moves of Doug’s and Erich’s wins are given below.
Board 7 – in a game ensuing from an English in which White castled long and Black short, Tom had a sound position until he overreached trying to queen a pawn.
Board 8 – Geoff castled long against the Sicilian and typical pawn storms ensued. The game remained in the balance until Geoff blundered and lost.
Board 9 – Maurice played the Sicilian and had to resist kingside pressure, but held out for a draw.
Board 10 – Joe won easily with his favourite Stonewall.
Board 11 – David’s notes state simply that Alan built a solid position, won a pawn and held on for a win. My recollection is that it was a very blocked game resulting from a French.
Board 17 – the boards were two per table, so I was sitting next to Richard and saw what happened. In a KGD, Keith caught Richard with one of those nasty tactics where White plays Nxe5 and Black can’t reply …Bg4xQd1 because of Bxf7+ and Nd5#. Richard was left a pawn down with a ruined position and duly lost.
Board 18 – this was the first time that I played for the county first team, and I clearly wasn’t yet ready for it. Ian, who chain-smoked throughout the game, crushed me mercilessly in a game in which I misguidedly castled long against a Benoni setup. By the time I was selected for the team again, a year later, I’d acquired much more solidity and was ready to play with the big boys.