Chess enthusiasts in Grenada will have an historic opportunity this week to play celebrated British Grandmaster Nigel Short MBE in an exhibition match.

Grandmaster Short, who was once ranked number 3 in the world (1988-1989), intends to engage, simultaneously, a maximum of 25 players in the exhibition match which takes place on Thursday evening, February 28th, at the newly opened Grenada Olympic House in Morne Rouge, on which occasion a Grenada Chess Association (GCA) will also be launched.

Thursday evening’s activities begin at 5.00pm and is open to all Chess players and persons interested in being part of the GCA.

Grandmaster Short will be in Grenada from February 26 to March 2nd, ‘spreading the gospel of Chess’.

A local Interim Chess Committee, which is working towards the establishment of the GCA, is co-ordinating the visit of Grandmaster Short who currently serves a Vice-President of the World Chess Federation (FIDE). The interim committee is spearheaded by Carlyle Glean Jr, Terrence Smith and Ruggles Ferguson.

Apart from Thursday’s activity at Olympic House, Grandmaster Short’s programme includes meetings with Government and sports officials aimed at encouraging the spread of Chess in primary and secondary schools and in local communities.

On Friday (March 1st) he meets with students of the Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS) & Presentation Brothers’ College (PBC) who play or are interested in playing Chess. That session takes place at the GBSS Auditorium at 1pm.

Arguably the most celebrated British Chess player, Grandmaster Short is also a chess columnist, chess coach and chess commentator. Born in 1965, he has had a colourful career on the Chess board: learning to play at age 5; becoming the youngest ever participant in the British Chess Championship, in 1977, three days before his 12th birthday; becoming, in 1979, the youngest International Master in chess history; and becoming, in 1984, at the age of 19, the youngest Grandmaster in the world. He has been playing Chess for over 48 years.

Apart from World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain.

With Ruggles Ferguson of the local Interim Chess Committee at the VIP Lounge on arrival at the Maurice Bishop International Airport on February 26th, 2019



With Minister of Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs Kindra Maturine Stewart (L) and Minister of Youth Kate Lewis (R)



With Minister of Sports Norland Cox during the ODI match, West Indies v England, at the National Stadium on February 27th, 2019



With Minister of Education Emmalin Pierre at the National Stadium



With Minister of Housing & Social Development Hon Delma Thomas at the Stadium on February 27th, 2019



With the cricketer Junior Murray, the first Grenadian to play Test Match cricket for the West Indies (R), and his brother Kenneth, a former footballer (L)



With former Prime Minister Tillman Thomas