British chess grandmaster Nigel Short says Belize chess has lots of room for improvement, should participate in Chess Olympiad

Photo Credit: British High Commission, Belmopan

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: British chess grandmaster Nigel Short, who was here last week, said the Belize Chess Federation should improve its organization and should participate in the Chess Olympiad.

While here, 57-year-old Short played against 20 Belizean chess players of all ages at the same time and won all 20 games, though he said some players did give him some trouble, according to 7 News Belize. The games were held at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Belmopan. 

“English legend, Chess Grandmaster Nigel Short, proved he very much still has the game of Chess on lock when he simultaneously beat 20 players in a thrilling Chess challenge at the High Commissioner’s Residence,” the British High Commission said in a social media post.

Short who became a chess grandmaster at 19 years of age says Belize has a lot of room for growth, but the Belize Chess Federation must be more proactive and should send athletes to compete in the Chess Olympiad.

British chess grandmaster Nigel Short playing against 20 Belizean chess players of all ages at the same time at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Belmopan. (Photo Credit: British High Commission, Belmopan) 

“There are currently some structural weaknesses in the administration, and I think if they manage to get organized there is really great hope for chess in this country,” he told 7 News Belize.

“Belize was one of the very few countries that did not go to the Chess Olympiad in Chennai last year. You had 185 countries going there and Belize didn’t send a team. And that just means it’s poor organization. So I think there is a recognition amongst the people here that they just need to be a little bit more disciplined.” 

As ambassador of the International Chess Federation, Short visits countries to aid in the development of the sport. British High Commissioner Nicole Davison said Short emailed her a couple of months ago and said that he was coming to Belize and that he was interested in helping, so she linked him up with the Belize Chess Federation. 

British chess grandmaster Nigel Short playing against 20 Belizean chess players of all ages at the same time at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Belmopan. (Photo Credit: British High Commission, Belmopan) 

Belize Chess Federation Vice President Joshua Baeza said playing against Short was an invaluable experience.

Minister of Sports Rodwell Ferguson was present during the games Short played against the Belizean opponents.

“Thanks to the Belize Chess Federation and all those who came to play, incredible talent and sportsmanship, we could not be prouder! Even, Minister of Ministry of Youth, Sports & Transport, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson came to support the players during 135 minutes of tension,” the British High Commission said. 

British High Commissioner Nicole Davison and Minister of Sports Rodwell Ferguson was as British chess grandmaster Nigel Short playing against Belizean chess players. (Photo Credit: British High Commission, Belmopan)

British High Commissioner Nicole Davison and British chess grandmaster Nigel Short along with Belizean chess players. (Photo Credit: British High Commission, Belmopan)  

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