You are here: Home Archives Player Biographies Des Forson Des Forson 1964-2013

Des Forson 1964-2013

Des Forson, longtime member of the Ulster Chess Union, died in a Whiteabbey hospice in the middle of November. David Houston, friend and contemporary, remembers Des - on and off the chess board.
Des Forson 1964-2013

Des at the 2008 Ulster Championship

It is with great sadness that I have to write about the untimely death of long time UCU member and friend Des Forson. I was expecting a visit from Des to discuss the Carlsen - Anand World Championship match only to be shocked that he had passed away on the 13th November in Whiteabbey Hospice from prostate cancer at the age of 49. Despite having recently bumped into Des he never mentioned his illness but all he did talk about was his latest trip to the far east.

Des Forson's Benko GambitI first came across Des as a fresh faced teenager with spikey, dyed blond hair playing for Carrick Chess club. Des was a good solid player with a deep understanding and background knowledge of chess. We later played together on the same team for Queen's University and enjoyed many adventures on journeys to chess tournaments. We had many a deep conversation over a pint or 2 into the idea that playing 1.d4 (Des's favourite opening) actually made you a boring player.  Over the years we had many tough struggles in the Benko Gambit as Des researched the latest lines and nuances. In particular I remember

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 Bxa6 
6.f4 g6 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.Nf3 O-O 9.e4 Bxf1 10.Rxf1 d6
11.Kf2

and tip-toeing down the a-file. Lines we battled over many times.

Des Forson shaking hands with Ray Keene; Belfast City Hall 1991Des was always an avid reader and had a very large collection of chess books which he had stored in many boxes sorted by opening, best games and instructional. In his later life he stopped competing in tournaments but still came to the AGM and Ulster Championships. At these UCU events he indulged in his latest hobby of photography which, Des being Des, he had researched extensively into which lens and film was best for photographing chess. One of our last conversations was about "super foods" as Des was munching away on avocados and pistachio nuts for lunch at the 2013 Ulster Championships.

Des's life outside chess was often very private so It was very typical that he never mentioned his illness to his chess playing friends. At least I know that he would be happy that Carlsen bored Anand with d4 into winning the World Championships. He will be sorely missed.

News
The Annual UCU Summer School at Ormeau Park We had 18 young chess players for 3 days of brilliant chess activities over Weds/Thurs/Fri 6th, 7th, 8th August 2025. At... Sep 14, 2025
One more game to play in the Summer Tournament 2025 We have played 19 weeks of glorious chess. What are the standings with only one game to go. Sep 13, 2025
Ulster Championships 2025 - Results This year’s championships were held over the August Bank holiday at Lisburn Chess Club. Aug 27, 2025
Ulster Championships 2025 at full capacity This year's Ulster Championships are hosted at Lisburn Chess Club with a limited number of entrants and we can now confi... Aug 16, 2025
Football, Family activities, Live Music, Live Dancing and Chess at EMSONI 2025 Festival. We were honoured to be invited to the EMSONI Festival on 26th July 2025 and enjoyed Chess, fantastic company and convers... Aug 02, 2025
More news…
« September 2025 »
September
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930
Upcoming Events
The Summer Tournament Weds 17th September at Civil Service Pavilion Weds 17th September and the 20th Week. The aim is to start each round at 7.45 pm. Please arrive at least by 7:30pm and i... Sep 17, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
18th Sept. FIDE RATED City of Bangor Rapid Congress 2025 Rounds 1-5 10 rounds of FIDE Rapid play at City of Bangor Chess Club over 2 evenings. 5 Rounds on 18th Sept. 5 Rounds on 25th Sept. Sep 18, 2025 07:15 PM - 10:00 PM — City of Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
FIDE-RATED County Down Classic 2025 : Rounds 3, 4 4 rounds of 60+30, to be played over 2 Saturdays. Sep 20, 2025 10:00 AM - 04:30 PM — City of Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
UK Blitz Championships 2025 - Belfast Qualifier - Sunday Sept 21st: FIDE Rated An opportunity to qualify for the UK Blitz Championships. Belfast is holding one of the 16 qualifying tournaments across... Sep 21, 2025 10:30 AM - 06:00 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
The Summer Tournament: Last Week: Prize-Giving and mini Tournament The UCU Summer Tournament is open to all chess players and provides regular competitive chess during the summer months w... Sep 24, 2025 07:30 PM - 10:30 PM — NICS,Maynard Sinclair Pavilion, Stormont, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3TA
Upcoming events…