Derek Oldbury (often known as DEO) was a British draughts

Draughts

Draughts is a group of abstract strategy board games between two players which involve diagonal moves of uniform pieces and mandatory captures by jumping over the enemy's pieces. Draughts developed from alquerque...

 champion from Devon

Devon

Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...

. He was a rival of Marion Tinsley

Marion Tinsley

Marion Tinsley is considered the greatest checkers player who ever lived. He was world champion from 1955–1958 and 1975–1991. Tinsley never lost a World Championship match, and lost only seven games in his entire 45 year career...

. Oldbury was interested in Go As You Please (GAYP) draughts, in which players are free to choose their own opening moves.

He has contested in 7 world championship matches and has come out as the champion in 1976, 1976 (GAYP) and 1991 (3-move).

Oldbury was born paraplegic. He wrote the 6-volume The Complete Encyclopaedia of Draughts.

External links

• Move Over - online book by Derek Oldbury, an excellent introduction to draughts
• The Unknown DEO - 62 draughts columns by Oldbury for the Rotherham Advertiser