LatestChess - Interviews - Interview with Grandmaster Nigel Short

Grandmaster Nigel Short is widely regarded as one of the strongest British chess players. He became a Grandmaster at age 19, the youngest in the world at that time. In 1979. He challenged for the World Championship against Garry Kasparov at London 1993. Along with his playing activities, Short is a noted chess writer. He has written columns and book reviews for many British newspapers. He has coached young prodigies like Pentala Harikrishna, Sergey Karjakin, David Howell and Parimarjan Negi. His first team assignment, with the Islamic Republic of Iran, led to them unexpectedly taking bronze medal at the Asian Games.
In this interview with Nigel Short, he tells us about his plans of chess promotion, his writing career, state of chess in England, interest in cricket, roles of chess players body's like ACP or CPAI, views on FIDE. He also shares his chess coaching experience, playing experiences with Kasparov and Karpov, famous game with Timman.
We hope our readers would enjoy reading the interview with interesting snaps of Grandmaster Nigel Short.

LatestChess:- Hello Nigel, We are glad to have you on LatestChess, you have undoubtedly an important role to play in promoting chess as an icon for a younger generation in England and all over the world. What role do you see yourself playing in the future?
Nigel Short:- First and foremost I consider myself to be a chess player. However the economic situation was so dire as recently as 2005 that I only played one tournament (Corus), despite the fact I had contacted numerous organisers pleading (unsuccessfully) for invitations. For reasons I do not fully understand, I now very much in demand and have a very full schedule of events up until Spring 2008.

First and foremost I consider myself to be a chess player...

My writing career, which was flourishing at one time, is now more or less on hold. I don't suppose it will stay this way forever. I was so disgusted last year at being sacked by the Guardian, in what can only be described as an act of shameless nepotism, that I have not yet bothered to look for another job.

Coaching the Iranians

I can see myself steadily doing more coaching over the coming years. My relationship with Parimarjan Negi is intended to be a long term one and I enjoy working with him. I am also currently coaching the Islamic Republic of Iran. l am very much welcomed there, but the practicalities of working in Iran - obtaining visas etc. - are rather difficult.

I can see myself steadily doing more chess coaching over the coming years...

As to chess politics: it is well known that I supported the Right Move campaign of Bessel Kok in the last FIDE Presidential election. I have come to the conclusion that FIDE is unreformable in its current state and that corruption and incompetence are deeply entrenched. Due to the manner with which this election was won, with cash-stuffed envelopes being handed out to the more flexible delegates, I cannot see myself wishing to get involved again in such an ugly process for many years to come. I will confine myself to rather more modest attempts to promote chess throughout the Commonwealth.

FIDE is unreformable in its current state and that corruption and incompetence are deeply entrenched...

Orthodontic work in Bangkok

LatestChess:- How is the chess scenario in England as compare to India? and what do you think to be done to make Chess more popular?
Nigel Short:- English chess is in an analogous state to West Indian cricket. The current generation is compared to the triumphant teams of the past and found sadly wanting. Indian chess, on the other hand, despite various problems, is in a much healthier state. I can only see this improving.

English chess is in an analogous state to West Indian cricket...