Worcestershire Chess Association: notable players

Derek Digger 1934-2011

Dependable officer for club, league and county

Derek was one of the players without which organised chess would not exist. He has been honorary secretary for Kidderminster Club for 4 years. He held the post of Honorary Treasurer of Halesowen Club and was nominated Halesowen's "player of the year" in 2010. He has been Grading Officer for Worcestershire, Worcester & District Chess League, and Dudley & District Chess League for as long as I can remember and record show he first took up the duties of Grading Officer for Worcestershire in 1984.

Derek was elected President of Worcestershire Chess Association for the 1992-3 and the 2001-2 seasons and he served as the county's delegate to Dudley & District Chess League since 1992.

In 2005 he was presented with an achievement award in recognition for over 30 years of service to chess players in Stourbridge, Kidderminster and Halesowen.

Outside of chess Derek was instrumental in organising trips to Kidderminster's German twin town, Husum

A real gentleman

Giles Stanton, captain of the county Under-140 team said: "I found him to be a real gentleman in both dealings with county matters and in confrontations over the board".

By Ray Collett