Nigel Short: the British challenger who took on Kasparov
- País
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Título
- Grandmaster (GM)
- Nacimiento
- 1 June 1965, Leigh, Lancashire (England)
- Estado
- retirado
- ELO máximo
- 2700 · Jan 1994
British chess has one name above all others in the modern era: Nigel Short. World title challenger, defeater of Karpov, tireless polemicist and promoter of chess in the most remote corners of the planet.
Who is Short
He was born on 1 June 1965 in Leigh, Lancashire. He was a prodigy: at 10 he was already appearing in British media as a child genius, and at 19 he was Great Britain’s youngest Grandmaster. His style was clear from the start: aggressive, direct and afraid of no one.
The road to Kasparov
In 1993, Short achieved something that seemed impossible: he eliminated Anatoly Karpov in the Candidates semifinals and then Jan Timman in the final, earning the right to challenge Garry Kasparov for the world title.
The match was played in London, but outside FIDE: Short and Kasparov founded the PCA (Professional Chess Association), which caused a split in the chess world. Short lost the match, but the road he took to get there was one of the greatest achievements in British chess.
Beyond the board
Short has had a second life as a commentator, columnist and FIDE official. As vice president of the federation, he has actively promoted the development of chess in Africa and Asia, traveling to countries where chess barely existed and helping build infrastructure.
His chess DNA
In our chess DNA system, Short represents the British attacker profile: high aggression, sharp tactics and a consistency he sometimes sacrifices for spectacle. If your GM twin is Short, your strength is direct attack and boldness; your challenge, regularity.
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Preguntas frecuentes
How did Short come to challenge Kasparov for the title?
In the 1993 Candidates cycle, Short eliminated Anatoly Karpov in the semifinals and Jan Timman in the final, earning the right to challenge Kasparov. Instead of playing under FIDE, Short and Kasparov created the PCA (Professional Chess Association) and played the match in London. Short lost, but the road he took to get there was impressive.
Why is Short considered controversial?
Short is known for his direct and often provocative opinions on social media and in his chess columns. He has generated controversy with comments about women's chess and FIDE politics. However, he has also been an active advocate for the development of chess in Africa and Asia as a FIDE official.