The Dominica Chess Federation (DCF) is proud to announce a momentous occasion for our island: the arrival of Grandmaster Nigel Short from 20–23 September 2025. One of the most celebrated and charismatic figures in world chess, Short is remembered not only as a World Championship contender, but also as a fearless innovator, coach, writer, and global ambassador of the game.
A Career of Remarkable Firsts
Nigel Short’s name is forever written in chess history.
- A prodigy from the start: At just six years old, he played a simultaneous exhibition against World Champion Anatoly Karpov. By twelve, he sensationally won the British Chess Championship. At nineteen, he became a grandmaster — then an extremely rare achievement.
- England’s No.1: Surpassing Anthony Miles, he led a new generation of English chess, winning major tournaments and earning the nickname “The Best of the West.” His famous “King’s Walk” against Jan Timman remains one of the most iconic games ever played.
- Breaking through the Iron Curtain: In the early 1990s, Short did the unthinkable: he defeated Boris Gelfand, Anatoly Karpov, and Jan Timman to earn the right to challenge for the world crown. For the first time in decades, a non-Soviet player contested the title.
- The match that changed chess history: In 1993, he faced Garry Kasparov for the World Championship. The match was held outside FIDE and marked the beginning of a long schism in chess. Despite defeat, Short entered history as a symbol of change.
- A champion across the world: Short became British Champion three times, won over 70 international tournaments, and is the only player in chess history to have won tournaments on six continents.
Innovator, Coach, and Promoter
Short is admired for his daring attacking style, bold opening ideas, and creative legacy. He co-developed the famous English Attack in the Sicilian Defence, which is still a staple of modern grandmaster play.
Beyond the board, he has shaped generations of talent, coaching players such as Sergey Karjakin, Pentala Harikrishna, and Parimarjan Negi. His writing — notably the celebrated Short Stories column — and his outspoken defence of fair play in chess have made him one of the most influential voices in the sport.
In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He also serves on the FIDE Management Board as Director for Chess Development, playing a leading role in supporting the growth of chess worldwide.
A Special Place in Dominica’s Chess Journey
For Dominica, Nigel Short is more than a legend — he is part of our foundation story. His visit in 2021 inspired local players to form the Dominica Chess Federation, which was officially registered the same year and welcomed into FIDE. Since then, our island has competed internationally and built an active programme for youth and communities.
Now, four years later, Nigel Short returns to reignite the spark he lit in Dominica’s chess movement.
Schedule in Dominica:
- 20 September (Saturday): Arrival in Dominica
- 21 September (Sunday): Simultaneous Exhibition with Dominican youth players
- 22 September (Monday): Meetings with government officials, business leaders, and partners
- 23 September (Tuesday): Departure
“We are honoured to welcome back Nigel Short — a true giant of the game, and someone who played a direct role in the birth of our Federation,” said Carlton Morvan, President of the Dominica Chess Federation. “His presence will inspire our players, especially our youth, and remind us how far Dominica has come in such a short time.”
Invitation to our partners
The Dominica Chess Federation extends a warm invitation to our partners — including schools, government officials, business leaders, and community organisations — as well as to members of the media to be part of this historic occasion.
A limited number of opportunities are available to meet and engage with Nigel Short. We encourage interested parties to contact us directly for further details.
- Email: dominicachessfederation@gmail.com
- Phone: +1 (767) 285-4500
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with a living legend of world chess — right here in Dominica.
About the Dominica Chess Federation
The Dominica Chess Federation is the official body responsible for promoting and developing chess in Dominica. Through training programmes, tournaments, and community engagement, the Federation aims to inspire a new generation of players and strengthen Dominica’s presence on the global chess stage.
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