The Week in Chess

Nigel Short was in Lima 24th-27th May 2012 for a rapid match against Julio Granda Zuniga and two simultaneous exhibitions. Peru became the 100th separate nation he has visited. Short managed a 3.5-2.5 win with a final game victory where he only broke through after lengthy manouvering. The exhibition was held in a tent at the Universidad Científica del Sur and there were problems with the lighting and viewing the games on the first day. The second day was better organised with a vast improvement in the conditions. Short leveled the match in game 4, was much better out of the opening in game 5 but after a miscalculation had to work very hard to draw. Short won the match with a lengthy ground out a win in a closed position where he never thought he was going to break through. Short also gave two simul exhibitions one on the 24th in the Club Nacional, a very old and prestigious club in the centre of Lima, containing many of the political and business elite. He conceded 1 draw out of 17 or 18 games. He then played a second simul at the "Saco Oliveros" school in Lima on the 27th with far stronger opposition including several FMs. The children were mostly from disadvantaged or modest backgrounds. Short played 28 games winning 23 with 5 draws and was pleased with his play. World under-13 Champion Jose Martínez and Panamerican under-9 Champion Gonzalo Quirhuayo were amongst those involved in the hardest fights. Short hopes to tour South America again later in the year. First two rapid games are missing. News: Adrian Noriega, James Alvis Tafur and Nigel Short.