Peter Myers, "Chess Grandmaster Nigel Short Arrives,"  Jamaican Chess Federation, 9 January 2006 (Clarendon, Jamaica).

English Grandmaster Nigel Short became the highest ranked chess player to officially visit Jamaica, when he arrived in the island from London last Friday.

Short was met at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) by a contingent from the Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) led by JCF President Ian Wilkinson. After a brief stop in the airport VIP Lounge, he was whisked away to the Pegasus Hotel, one of the sponsors of the visit. The other sponsor, Avis Car Rentals provided transportation for the duration of the visit.

On Saturday morning, Short held a three hour session at the Norman Manley Law School, during which he spoke on a wide range of topics, including his development as a chess player, the performance of the world governing body for chess, achieving success in chess, parallels between cricket and chess, the value of computers in chess, his greatest achievements, the value of international exposure, motivating junior players and chess in the Olympics.

In the afternoon, Short conducted a simultaneous exhibition. This activity involved him playing 33 players, including 7 of Jamaica's National Masters, on 33 separate boards, all at the same time. After about 5 grueling hours, Short had registered 28 victories and 5 draws. The five players who managed to secure draws included current National Champion Warren Elliott, National Masters Malaku Lorne and John Powell, JCF President Ian Wilkinson and JCF Vice President Peter Myers.

On Sunday, Short held a three-hour closed session with the National Men's and Women's squads, who are now preparing for the Chess Olympiad scheduled for May 2006.

The final stop on Short's itinerary is a courtesy call on the Governor-General on Monday morning. He is scheduled to leave for Cuba Monday afternoon.

Also see Bert Scott's, "GM Nigel Short scores 28 wins and 5 draws in Jamaica Simul," Jamaica Ambassadors Chess Academy, 7 January 2006 (Kingston, Jamaica).

GM Nigel Short (left) speaking at the Norman Manley Law School on Saturday. At centre is Ian Wilkinson, JCF President and Geoffrey Byfield (right), President of the Liguanea Chess Club. Photo by Peter Myers.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 10 January 2006