Belper Chess Club’s E team have secured a well‑deserved promotion to Division 3 after a superb campaign in the Derbyshire Chess League — yet the Division 4 title was lost by the narrowest of margins.

Going into the final round of matches, Belper E knew they had to win and they delivered emphatically. A commanding 3½–½ victory over Wirksworth Feathers ensured they finished the season on 16 points having completed 8 victories in 12 matches. With their own match completed, the team could do nothing more but wait and hope.

All eyes then turned to Rolls‑Royce F’s final fixture against Burton & Lichfield E. Belper needed their promotion rivals to drop points, but Rolls‑Royce edged a tight match 2½–1½, bringing them level on 16 points at the top of the table and sending the title race to the finest of margins.

In the end, the championship was decided on game points difference (chess’s equivalent of goal difference) with Belper E being beaten to the title by just one single game point.

Despite the narrow miss, the season will be remembered as a major success. Promotion was the primary goal, and Belper E now look forward to testing themselves in Division 3 next season.