Nigel Short – DVD / book signing and simul , 15th February 2011
Nigel David Short is generally regarded as the strongest British grandmaster of the 20th century …
Born on June 1st 1965 , he started out as a chess prodigy , first attracting media attention by beating Viktor Korchnoi and Tigran Petrosian in simultaneous exhibitions at the ages of ten and twelve years old respectively . At the age of 14 he became the youngest IM in history , breaking Bobby Fischer ’ s previous record , and at 16 he came second ( to Garry Kasparov ) at the Under 20 World Junior Championship in Dortmund . In 1985 Nigel became Britian ’ s first ever candidate for the World Championship , and in 1993 he made it all the way to the final by beating Anatoly Karpov and Jan Timman . He only lost to World Champion Garry Kasparov in the title match in London . Since then he has remained active at the highest levels of competitive chess , but has also become a chess columnist , commentator and a coach for promising young talents . He is considered one of the most entertaining and outspoken personalities in the chess world .
In his DVDs “ Greatest Hits ” Nigel takes us on an electrifying journey through a very rich chess career , which saw him beat no less than twelve world champions . His experience in tournaments and matches all over the world – Short has visited a total of 89 countries – can be seen in the narratives that precede the games , which he annotates with humour and instructive insights . Video running time : 5 hours 14 min . Normally £ 60 – buy it at the event and get it signed for just £ 45 !
PRICES £ 40 per person admission to the event and a seat at the Mixed Simul to play Nigel Short £ 25.00 for juniors under-16 ( parents free entry ) £ 5.00 for all other spectators to the simuls , talks and the book and DVD signings ( entry must be booked in advance ) £ 45.00 for Nigel ’ s 2-set DVD plus £ 3 postage and packing . Cheques should be payable to ‘ Adam Raoof ’ and posted to 328 Watford Way , Hendon , London NW4 4UY . You can also pay using PayPal to – adamraoof @ gmail . com
ORGANISER Adam Raoof ( ECF Director of Home Chess ), for Nigel Short and CJ de Mooi .
VENUE Middlesex University Real Tennis Club ( http :// www . murtc . co . uk /), 2 Campus Way , Hendon , London NW4 4BT
PROGRAMME 4.30pm to 6.30pm – Junior Simultaneous Display over 30 Boards 6.30pm – 6.45pm – Nigel Short ( Grandmaster ) Q & A 6.45pm – 7.30pm – CJ de Mooi ( Eggheads , ECF President ) Q & A DVD and book signing , including the opportunity to take photos with Nigel and CJ , purchase Nigel Short ’ s Greatest Hits 2-Vol DVD for £ 40 ( normally £ 60 ). – BREAK – 7.45pm to a finish – Mixed Simultaneous Display over 30 boards
PRESS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Please contact Adam Raoof for an invitation
Crusaders Chess Club simul , Blackburn
23 players braved the snow and ice on Sunday 5th December to take on British chess legend GM Nigel Short MBE . The event was held at Blackburn Northern Sports Club , Blackburn , Lancashire , and was organised by Crusaders Chess Club .
Players came from Cumbria , Merseyside and Lancashire to play in the simul and after a short (!) welcome speech by Blackburn Northern chairman Nick Marsden , Nigel informed everyone that there would be no passes allowed . 23 crestfallen faces looked at him in horror . It turned out to be a wise decision as after nearly 4-and-a-half hours of non-stop chess Nigel claimed victory on all the boards .
Despite two or three early losses due to blunders , most of the games lasted between 40-70 moves . Eight of the area ’ s top juniors fought long and hard , only losing near the end , and the best game prize , chosen by IM Jeff Horner , was won by Crusaders player Martyn Hamer .
A big thank you to Nigel for the simul and for talking to everyone and signing autographs afterwards .
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