The recent displays of patriotism marking the end of the Second World War on VE Day and VJ Day have coincided with other defining moments of Britishness. In the same spirit, the British Chess Championships returned to the spotlight, a quieter test of nerve and character. The Times framed its own contribution by asking: “Which artist best captures the true spirit of Britain, in a single frame?”
Of the eight pictures chosen, The Fighting Temeraire by J.M.W. Turner was perhaps the most obvious candidate. It reflects Britain’s long association with the sea and nature, echoing John of Gaunt’s portrait of England as an earthly paradise in Shakespeare’s Richard II:
“This sceptred isle … this other Eden, demi-paradise … this precious stone set in the silver sea … this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”
Gaunt’s lament, spoken on his deathbed to Richard II, warns of England’s decline should its lands be sold off and its people betrayed – a sentiment that resonates even today.
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One might ask why Constable’s The Hay Wain, a work that personifies qualities of Englishness and rural life, did not appear on The Times list. Other selected works included Hogarth’s The Tête-à-Tête, which depicts a marriage collapsing amid debauchery, infidelity, overspending, and disaster. It is a memorable painting but hardly unique to Britain.
Yet in chess, Britain has its undisputed heroes and heroines. Players across the world agree who those figures are, both nationally and internationally.
This year saw the 111th British Chess Championship Tournament held in St George’s Hall, Liverpool, a fittingly grand setting to celebrate Britishness.
Nigel Short’s Rise
Nigel Short’s career epitomises modern British chess success. In 1980, aged 14, he became an International Master. By 1984, he won his first British Championship, with several more to follow. His greatest achievement came in 1993, when he won the Candidates Tournament and earned the right to challenge Garry Kasparov for the World Title at The Savoy, London, with The Times as sponsor.
This was a global milestone. Nigel was the first English player since Howard Staunton’s victory over St Amant in 1843 to challenge for the world crown, and the first non-Soviet challenger since Bobby Fischer. Though Kasparov retained his title, Nigel’s achievement remains historic. He went on to win his third British title in 1998, and had earlier claimed the English Championship in 1991.
Michael Adams and Others
Michael Adams has since become an enduring figure in British chess, winning nine British Championships, including his most recent this year. Stuart Conquest, runner-up at 57, deserves recognition too: a remarkable feat against younger, highly active players. Alongside Nigel Short and Howard Staunton, Adams stands among Britain’s finest players of the past 175 years.
Other recent highlights include England’s board one, Lan Yao, securing her third IM norm at the Andorra Open with an unbeaten 6.5/9. Jonathan Pein came fourth at the Oviedo Open with 7/9, earning his first IM norm. Congratulations too to Harry Grieve who won the Vitoria – Gasteiz Open chess tourny in Spain recently.
Global Chess News
The chess world continues to thrive internationally. The St Louis Chess Campus has announced an expansion to 30,000 square feet, including a new tournament hall, broadcast studios, and classrooms. To mark the occasion, an opening match this October will feature Garry Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand, both favourites of patron Rex Sinquefield, whose support has elevated St Louis to a global chess capital.
The Challenge
This month’s puzzle recalls the remarkable and impressive history of Nigel Short’s rise to national and international fame, having learnt to play chess at the age of five and winning against Viktor Korchnoi in a simul at the age of 11 years old! The game, played in London, provides this month’s chess puzzle: Korchnoi, as White, has just played 40. Ngf3 … ? What was Short’s response as Black, see answer upside down below?
The Solution
40. Ngf3, Rbb4! Doubling up his rooks on the 4th rank and attacking White’s knight on d4 would, if left as is, also win White’s other knight protecting f3. Instead, White played Ne2, protecting the f4 pawn. 41. Ne2 ….. and Black’s response 41 ….. Re4 continues Black’s attack, threatening e2. 42. Nc3 …. saves the knight but allows Black to take the pawn on f4 with the threat of a check on 42 …. g4+. White tries intimidation with 43. Na2 ….. threatening Black’s rook on b4, but this is a desperate move since it does nothing to delay the attack and is out of tempo, as Black plays 43 ….. Rg4+ anyway. White’s king has only one escape square: 44. Kh3…! Black moves his rook out of danger: 44 …… Rbc4, covering White’s knight escape squares on c3 and c1. 45. Rb1 … ? intending to make use of the open file to b7+, but missing Black’s intentions to place the c-rook on c2, threatening to take on g2+, which is what happened: 45. Rb1, Rc2! 46. Rb7+, Kf8. Black’s king easily escapes, hiding behind its pawns on the f and g files. 47. Nb4 … another ineffectual threat to Black’s rook on c2, which simply takes: 47 …. Rcxg2. White resigns, as Black’s doubled rooks on the g-file spell doom. O–1. An early example of Nigel’s prowess that gathered pace over the years and reached its climax in his challenge to Garry Kasparov for the World Champion’s title in 1993.
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[Image Credit: British Chess Federation]
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