Nigel Short commented on the situation about the alleged assassination plot against Garry Kasparov. Short jokes that he would have become World Champion if something had happened to Kasparov in 1993. Short notes that he plans to see Garry in October.

Nigel Short

Nigel Short

FIDE Director for Chess Development

“I have been reading, with concern, about a recent plot that was uncovered to assassinate Garry Kasparov.

A naughty thought crossed my mind that, had they succeeded 33 years ago, I would have become World Champion.

Anyway, I will see Garry, in a couple of weeks, and probably have dinner with him…”

The U.S. Justice Department unsealed an indictment in mid-September. Federal prosecutors charged five men over an alleged Russian intelligence-backed network. The network was engaged in surveillance, recruitment, and targeted killings against opposition figures. It is reported that the alleged plot organizers planned to assassinate Garry Kasparov, among others.

British GM Nigel Short played against Garry Kasparov in the PCA World Chess Championship 1993. Short lost to Kasparov with a score of 7.5-12.5. This event marked the beginning of the split in the World Chess Championship. Nigel Short never became World Chess Champion afterwards.

Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE