Rare Opportunity for Local Chess Fans

Some members of Lichfield Chess Club will have played against former world championship contender Nigel Short when he gave a simultaneous display against 20 or so Lichfield Chess Club players some years ago.

Now there is an opportunity to purchase one of the tiny number of books not only written by Nigel but autographed during a New Year visit to the his father’s house in Lichfield,

The book is on The French Defence which became a signature opening used heavily by Nigel in the early years of his career. It was part of the extensive chess book collection built up by former chairman Peter Collins which was donated to the club last year. Offers for the book which has a reserve of £12 should be made to the club chairman David Fone with proceeds going to chess club funds.

The peak of Nigel’s career came in 1993 when he reached the final of the World Championship and lost to Gary Kasparov after defeating chess legend Karpov in the semi final. These days he plays rarely other than simuls. He became a vice President of FIDE and is now a senior executive responsible for chess development in 53 countries, a role which has taken his total of countries visited in his career to a staggering 162, way ahead of the number visited by UK ministers.

There were 80 or so books in the Peter Collins collection and a home has still to be found for many of them. A list of books and authors can be emailed to club members on request.