Nigel Short tour

[Eoin Devane]

If there's still availability, we'd certainly be interested in hosting one of these events here at Oxford University.

[cjdemooi]

We still have one day available (probably the 18th) if anyone would like to make an offer?

Nigel has said he'll offer both his Greatest Hits for just £40 which is about a 40% discount. If anyone is interested in ordering some of these, please let me know in advance so they can be brought along.

[Andrew Wainwright]

CJ, any chance you could please provide a list of the dates and venues confirmed so far?

[cjdemooi]

The current schedule is as follows. However, the 15th isn't completely confirmed yet and the 16th could be used for something if anyone has a suggestion.

February 2011
13th
Coulsdon - Scott Freeman
14th
Essex - Gavin Strachan
15th
Middlesex University - Adam Raoof
16th
Rest Day
17th
Winchester College - Jon Hunt
18th
Bolton School - Mick Norris
19th
Midlands - Sean Hewitt

[cjdemooi]

This is the final schedule for February 2011

13th
Coulsdon CCF - Scott Freeman
14th
Brentwood International Centre - Gavin Strachan
15th
Middlesex University - Adam Raoof
16th
Rest Day
17th
Winchester College Music School - Jon Hunt
18th
Bolton School - Mick Norris
19th
Bolton School - Mick Norris

[cjdemooi]

Further details at

http://www.englishchess.org.uk
http://chesscircuit.blogspot.com
http://www.brentwoodchessclub.org
http://www.ccfworld.com

[cjdemooi]

To kick the tour off, we'll be holding an event at the Chess Shop on Baker Street. Still finalising the details of what form this will take but it'll start at 11am on Sunday 13th February and last for 2 hours or so. I'll post more when the arrangements are made but please come along for this whether you're able to attend one of the other events anyway!

[cjdemooi]

This event has proved so popular, we may do another later in the year. Would anyone who is interested in hosting a day please get in touch expressing a preference for which month is best?
Thank you

[Gavin Strachan]

Could do with some entrants for the Brentwood leg. Details as above.

[Adam Raoof]

“How often do you get to play a chess grandmaster? A world class grandmaster, probably the most famous player the UK has ever produced, who came within a hair’s breadth of winning the world championship from Garry Kasparov in 1993? On a real tennis court?

Well, you could be playing Nigel Short on Tuesday 15th February on the court of the Middlesex University Real Tennis Club. Organised by Middlesex University’s own Adam Raoof, who doubles as the English Chess Federation’s Home Director, the event kicks off with Nigel taking on 30 of the UK’s best juniors at about 4.30pm.

After a slight pause for breath, some book signings and a talk from Nigel, and then from CJ de Mooi from Eggheads (also the ECF’s President and no mean player), Nigel will be taking on 30 more players from 7pm until the bar closes. We could be in for a late finish!

If you are interested in taking part give Adam a ring on 07855 036 537 and prepare your best openings!”

Subscribed so Far (15 places left)

Junior (from 4.30pm)
Ravi Haria 174
Andrew Smailes 92
Jennifer Ehr 130
Claire Ehr 65
Sam James
Daniel O'Connell
Jamie Spillard
Joel Malam 113
Freddie John
Ross Milverton
Kishen Singh
Ted James
Joseph Levene 157
Arkady Shevchuk
Anna Purvis
Zheming Zhang

Mixed (from approx 7.30pm)
Petr Vachtfeidl 173
Monica Gergelova 90
Malcolm Winter 117
Kishan Pattni 133
Tim Sanders 97
Daniel Ellis 182
Isaac Sanders 176
Joe Raine
Nick Murphy 112
Dominic Gibbs 173
Edwin Kalerwa
Frank Sabin 147

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 age of ten and twelve years 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 also a coach for promising young talents. He is considered one of the most entertaining and outspoken personalities in the chess world.

[David Brock]

Adam the only thing you left out was he wears his pants on the outside of his trousers

[Justin Hadi]

Is 90th in the world still "the highest level"?

[LozCooper]

Is 90th in the world still "the highest level"?

Well he did play at the Olympiad and London Chess Classic so that fits the description of remaining active at the highest level of competitive chess

[Gavin Strachan]

90/20000000

[cjdemooi]

Only a couple of weeks until the tour kicks off with Dr Short (who is currently sole leader of the Gibraltar Masters on 5/5 - will he still be leading when I get there in 4 days?) so please look at the list, choose your favourite venue and book now.

All money raised is distributed in 4 ways-
1. Nigel's fee
2. Travel and accommodation expenses
3. Charity donation (probably an HIV or homelessness charity - I'll let the juniors at one of the simuls decide)
4. The remainder to be donated to the British Championships 2011 to help with reduced entry fees for juniors

I will not take a single penny from the whole tour and as always, full accounts will be available for perusal upon completion. This is again a private initiative and is not under the ECF so everything, both positive and negative, is my personal responsibility (fault?)

CJ