Nigel Short Masterpiece !

Former Vice World Champion - Nigel Short has just return back to the FIDE 2700 "Super GM Club". Although some said he has past his prime, Nigel (photo right) still have the touch that once bring him glory in the chess world . Many still remember the Englishmen who once battle against legendary player - Garry Kasparov for the World Champion title in 1993. Nigel was rank 3rd in the World in the late 80's . However after his unsuccessful World Championship attempt, his career seems to fade away. But recently the Englishmen has produced a masterpiece at the Kalkota Open in India. See the game below.

Nigel Short vs M. Mchedlishvili

4th Kalkota Open, Round 10, 10.9.09

1. e4 c6 2. Ne2 d5 3. e5 c5 4. d4 Nc6 5. c3 cxd4 6. cxd4 Bg4 7. Nbc3 e6 8. Be3 Nge7 9. f3 Bf5 10. g4

I remember reading a chess article which Nigel said " Modern chess is too much concern with things like pawn structure. Forget it- checkmate end the game!" 10...Bg6 11. Nf4 a6 12. Rc1 h5 13. Bg2 hxg4 14. fxg4 Bh7 15. O-O Ng6 16. Nfxd5!!

The start of a series of brilliant sacrifice 16... Nh4 Black will be pressure endlessly if he accept the piece sac immediately with 16...exd5 for e.g 16... exd5 17. Qb3 Na5 18. Qxd5 Bg8 (18... Qxd5 19. Nxd5 Rb8 20. Nc7+ Kd8 21. Rxf7 Bg8 22. Bg5+) 19. Qe4 Rc8 20. e6 17. Bh1 Stronger is probably 17. Qb3! Ra7 18. Bh1 Ng6 17... exd5 18. Nxd5 Bg6? The big mistake. 18... Rc8 is necessary. Now Nigel unleash another brilliant sacrifice 19. Rxc6

19...bxc6 20. Nf6+ Another one...!20...gxf6 21. Bxc6+ Ke7 22. exf6+ Kd6 23. Qa4 Kc7 24. Rc1 Qd6 25. Bxa8+ Kb8 26. Qe8+

Black decide that he has seen it enough. Play might continued with 26...Ka7 but after 27.d5+, Rybka 3 said it's mate in 9 - maximum! 1-0 One can live forever with this game !

Nigel foto from chessbase.com