Nigel Short (born 1 June 1965) is an English chess grandmaster, chess commentator, and chess administrator. He became a grandmaster at age 19 and rose to become the world’s number‑two ranked player in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Short is best known for challenging Garry Kasparov for the World Chess Championship in 1993, a match held under the auspices of the Professional Chess Association. After his peak competitive years, he transitioned into coaching, writing, and broadcasting, and has served as a vice‑president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
1 Early life and education
1.1 Family background
Nigel David Short was born in Leigh, Greater Manchester, England. His father, David Short, was a journalist and later a civil servant; his mother, Jean, was a teacher. He has one younger sister. The family moved to Atherton when Short was a child. His parents encouraged his early interest in intellectual pursuits, including reading and music.
1.2 Introduction to chess
Short learned the moves of chess at the age of five from his father, who played recreationally. He quickly showed unusual aptitude, defeating his father within weeks. At age seven he joined the Bolton Chess Club, where he received guidance from local masters. By age nine he was competing in junior tournaments across the United Kingdom, often finishing near the top.
1.3 Early tournament successes
Short won the British Under‑11 Championship in 1977 and the British Under‑14 Championship in 1979. In 1980 he became the youngest player ever to compete in the British Chess Championship at age 15, finishing in a respectable mid‑table position. That same year he earned the title of International Master, at the time the youngest British player to do so.
2 Chess career
2.1 Rise to grandmaster (1980–1984)
Short achieved the grandmaster title in 1984, at age 19, by meeting the required norms at tournaments in Hastings (1982–83), Lucerne (1982), and London (1984). During this period he also performed strongly at the 1983 European Junior Chess Championship, winning the silver medal. His aggressive yet sound style attracted attention from the chess world, and he began receiving invitations to elite events.
2.2 Peak years and world title contender (1985–1993)
2.2.1 Candidates cycle (1988–1993)
Short entered the World Chess Championship cycle in 1988. He successfully navigated the interzonal tournament in Subotica, Yugoslavia, to qualify for the Candidates Tournament. In the 1988–90 cycle he was eliminated in the quarter‑finals by former world champion Anatoly Karpov. In the next cycle (1991–93), Short defeated Jonathan Speelman, Boris Gelfand, Karpov (in a dramatic semi‑final), and Jan Timman to become the official challenger for the world title.
2.2.2 1993 World Chess Championship match vs. Garry Kasparov
2.2.2.1 Match preparation and format
The match was originally scheduled under the authority of FIDE, but disagreements over the venue and conditions led Kasparov and Short to break away and play under the newly formed Professional Chess Association (PCA). The match took place in London from July to August 1993. It was a best‑of‑24‑game format, with the first player to reach 12½ points declared champion.
2.2.2.2 Key games and result
The match was one‑sided. Kasparov won decisively with a score of 12½–7½ (six wins, one loss, thirteen draws). Short’s sole victory came in Game 7, a tactical masterpiece in which he sacrificed a pawn and outplayed Kasparov in the endgame. However, Kasparov’s superior preparation and tactical resourcefulness proved insurmountable. Short’s loss ended his bid for the world title, but he earned widespread respect for his willingness to challenge the dominant champion.
2.3 Post‑championship career (1994–2000)
2.3.1 Continued tournament play
After the 1993 match, Short remained a top‑level player. He won several strong tournaments, including the 1994 Donner Memorial in Amsterdam, the 1996 Hoogovens tournament in Wijk aan Zee (shared with Valery Salov), and the 1998 Sigeman & Co tournament in Malmö. He also competed in several Candidates cycles but never again reached the final.
2.3.2 Olympiad appearances
Short represented England at the Chess Olympiad eleven times between 1984 and 2012. He was a key member of the English teams that won silver medals in 1986 (Dubai) and 1988 (Thessaloniki), and bronze medals in 1990 (Novi Sad), 1992 (Manila), and 1994 (Moscow). His individual performance on board one in 1992 was particularly strong, earning a gold medal for board‑one performance.
3 Playing style
3.1 Strategic strengths
Short was known as a universal player, comfortable in both tactical melees and positional manoeuvres. He excelled in endgames, especially rook endgames, and possessed a keen sense of when to simplify or complicate. His opening preparation, while not always as deep as Kasparov’s, was sound and often featured original ideas.
3.2 Notable openings
As White, Short favoured 1.e4, frequently playing the Ruy Lopez, the Italian Game, and the King’s Gambit (the latter in his earlier years). As Black he employed the Sicilian Defence (especially the Najdorf and Scheveningen variations) against 1.e4, and the Queen’s Gambit Declined or the Nimzo‑Indian Defence against 1.d4. He was also known for occasional offbeat openings, such as the St. George Defence (1.e4 a6), which he used to defeat Karpov in 1993.
3.3 Legacy of his rivalry with Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov
Short’s rivalry with Karpov was one of the most intense of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He defeated Karpov twice in Candidates matches (1992 and 1993), and their games were marked by sharp, uncompromising play. Against Kasparov, Short often struggled but managed several memorable wins, including the aforementioned Game 7 of the 1993 match. Their rivalry is frequently cited in discussions of the generation of players who challenged the Soviet‑era dominance of the world championship.
4 Post‑competitive activities
4.1 Chess commentary and writing
4.1.1 Television and online broadcasting
Short became a regular commentator for chess broadcasts, notably for the World Chess Championship matches from 1995 onward. He has worked for the BBC, Channel 4, and later for online platforms such as Chess24 and Chess.com. His commentary style is analytical yet accessible, often laced with dry humour.
4.1.2 Published works
Short has authored several books, including *Nigel Short: Chess Masters* (1987) and *The London Chess System* (1994, co‑authored). He also contributed regularly to *New In Chess* magazine and British chess periodicals. His writings are noted for their clarity and practical advice.
4.2 FIDE administrative roles
4.2.1 Vice‑presidency
In 2018, Short was elected as a FIDE Vice‑President under the presidential ticket of Arkady Dvorkovich. He has been involved in promoting chess in schools and developing the FIDE trainers’ programme. His tenure has focused on transparency and modernisation of FIDE’s governance.
4.2.2 Other committees
Short has also served on FIDE’s Fair Play Commission and the Chessable / FIDE Online Arena advisory board. He is a vocal advocate for anti‑cheating measures in both over‑the‑board and online chess.
5 Personal life
5.1 Family
Short married Rute Barata, a Portuguese national, in 1991. The couple has three children: two daughters and a son. The family resides in Leicester, England. Short’s son, Tobias, has also played chess at a high junior level.
5.2 Interests outside chess
Short is an avid football fan, supporting Manchester United. He also enjoys reading history and biography. He has occasionally appeared in chess‑themed comedy sketches and interviews, showcasing a self‑deprecating sense of humour (e.g., joking about his own results against Kasparov).
6 Recognition and awards
6.1 British Chess Federation titles
Short has been the British Chess Champion on four occasions (1985, 1986, 1987, and 1989). He was awarded the title of British Chess Federation (now English Chess Federation) Player of the Year multiple times.
6.2 Civic honours
In 1993 Short was appointed an Honorary Member of the Liverpool Chess Club. He received the Fred Cramer Award from FIDE in 2021 for his contributions to chess administration. A street in his home town of Atherton, Nigel Short Close, was named in his honour in 2004.