European Grandmasters trek to Africa

Nigel Short in Kenya

GM Nigel Short wrote a report sometime ago in the UK Telegraph recounting his vacation in Kenya and meeting with the chess community there. In a recent entry at ChessBase.com, the English Grandmaster wrote an interesting photo essay about his trip which, among other things, expressed his desire to vie for the President of the Commonwealth Chess Association. There are some breath-taking pictures of the African safari and others with GM Short interacting with the chess community and Kenyan chess officials.

ChessBase.com, "Jambo Commonwealth," 29 March 2005.


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Norway and South Africa building links

Simen Agdestein is an anomaly. Truly one of the few persons in the world who has represented his country in two different sports at the highest level. Having made a name for himself as both a chess Grandmaster and a soccer player  on the Norwegian national team, a knee injury ended his soccer career. Now he has emerged as the trainer of 13-year old chess wunderkind, Magnus Carlsen

Agdestein and a chess delegation are in South Africa to participate in a series of chess activities including a match of junior players (eight per side). The Norwegian participated in the Easter Provincial Open Championship winning handily 6½-½. Unfortunately, none of the South African International Masters were on hand to challenge the Grandmaster. South Africa will travel to Norway to complete the diplomatic chess linkage.

"Norwegian Chess Grandmaster arrives in Cape Town," Angola Press, 31 March 2005.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 1 April 2005