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
Ulster Fischer Championships took place on June 8th at Civil Service Pavilion One of the most exciting competitions of the year involves chess with a difference. The initial position of the main pie... Jun 29, 2025
Annual General Meeting 2024/2025 2024/2025 season is rapidly coming to a close and with this comes the announcement of the UCU’s Annual General Meeting... Jun 27, 2025
Washingbay FIDE Rapid This week's upcoming event's early entry list Jun 02, 2025
City of Belfast Winners Well done to Steve Scannell our champion, and David Jeffers on winning the Intermediate trophy! May 26, 2025
The Belfast Megafinals took place at Methodist College on Sat May 10th 2025 The last of this years monthly tournaments at Methodist College. Ended with the Delancey Chess Challenge Belfast Megafin... May 25, 2025
More news…
« July 2025 »
July
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031
Upcoming Events
City of Lisburn Championship Jul 26, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025 — Lisburn Chess Club, 60-62 Longstone Street
Ulster Championships 2025 The top Ulster competition returns to open the 2025-2026 season! *FIDE registration of the event is pending.* Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025 — Queens University, South Dinning Hall, Belfast
FIDE RATED County Tyrone Rapid Championship 2025 Wednesday 3 September 2025 Check-in at 7:45pm. The 5 rounds will be played back-to-back from 8pm to 10:30pm Washingbay... Sep 03, 2025 07:45 PM - 10:30 PM — Washingbay Centre, 92 Ballybeg Road, Aughamullan, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 5DX
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
25th Sept. FIDE RATED City of Bangor Rapid Congress 2025 Rounds 6-10 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 25, 2025 07:15 PM - 10:00 PM — City of Bangor Chess Club, Church of Ireland Parish Hall, 30 Main Street Groomsport
Upcoming events…