Both sides were much changed from last season, with Chester fielding seven new signings, including Kevin Ellison and John Murphy who were both returning to the club, while Chesterfield had five new faces in their starting line up.
The visitors had the ball in the net on seven minutes through Jamie Ward but the referee had pulled the striker up for an infringement on James Vaughan. Ward then had a shot blocked on the line by the legs of keeper John Danby.
On 21 minutes Ward had Vaughan in trouble again, turning the defender and heading clean through on goal, only to drag his effort past the post with the goal at his mercy.
Chester went close on the half hour mark as Ellison skipped past Phil Picken on the left flank and crossed to Nathan Lowndes who headed just wide. A Murphy shot also found the side netting just before the break.
More trickery from Ward on 52 minutes saw him create a half chance but his blocked shot fell to Jamie Winter who screwed his effort well wide from the edge of the box.
Murphy managed to beat the keeper five minutes later, only for the referee's assistant to flag for a foul by the Chester striker.
Seven minutes from time Chesterfield's ever dangerous Ward had a chance to take all the points when he was clean through on goal, but keeper Danby stood up well and made a great save.
Chester's sub Simon Yeo missed a sitter right at the death meaning the points were shared on the opening game of the season.