Nigel Short To Campaign For Karpov In Uganda

After visiting Kenya a few years ago for holiday, Nigel Short will be back in East Africa to campaign for Antoly Karpov.

Nigel Short

By Douglas Mazune

THE race for the world chess governing body, FIDE Presidency has presented Ugandans with a lifetime opportunity to play against renowned British Grandmaster Nigel Short in Kampala. Nigel, who arrives today, will play exhibition games with several local players as he seeks Uganda’s vote for GM Anatoly Karpov in the election that will be held at the World Olympiad in Russia. Karpov face the incumbent president Kirsan Illumzyinhov.

A press release issued by Uganda Chess Federation (UCF) publicity Vianney Luggya said that the exhibition games are scheduled for tomorrow and Nigel will depart on Friday. Nigel, who challenged former World Champion Garry Kasparov for the world title in 1993, is regarded as the strongest British player of the 20th Century. He will be the first Grandmaster to visit Uganda and play chess with locals in the history of the game in the country. Nigel is a world acclaimed chess columnist, coach and commentator.

He has an International FIDE rating of 2685 and is ranked number 38 in the world. “His visit to Uganda is also meant to rally support for his preferred candidate GM Anatoly Karpov who is standing against Kirsan,” Luggya said. The venue for the exhibition games and the players that will be lined up against Nigel were yet to be named.