FIDE Director of Chess Development GM Nigel Short (above left) visited Manila on February 26, 2025. The former World Championship challenger met with Filipino chess players at the New World Hotel in Makati City, through the initiative of US-based National Master Antonio “Tony” Aguirre.
Accompanying Grandmaster Short were Interbank Champion CPA Danilo Ponay, sportswriter and radio commentator National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr., two-time Asian Senior (65+) champion International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Engr. Rey Cris Urbiztondo, and dinner host Johnny “Joel” Gaudia.
The Filipino chess players expressed their gratitude to National Master Aguirre for arranging this memorable meeting with Grandmaster Short. On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Mr. Teddy Cu acted as host before GM Short’s evening flight to Guam.
It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to play with the legendary GM Short at the Wild Flour Restaurant in Greenbelt 3, Makati City.
GM Short beat all the Filipino players in a friendly blitz match with a time control of five minutes to finish.
He played with 12-time Philippine Open champion GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., IM Bagamasbad, FM Ivan Travis Cu, NM Bernardino, Jericho Winston Cu, Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez, Keiffer Pelias, Noel Jay Estacio and lone lady player Elizsa Gayle Cafirma.
After the friendly blitz match, GM Short gave advice to the Filipino chess players and had a lot of funny stories. He also gave a video message of congratulation to Xavier School Chess Team and to the forthcoming World Engineering chess on March 8.
The Filipino chess players gave a heartfelt thanks to NM Tony Aguirre for bringing Nigel Short” Engr. Alvarez said.
-Marlon Bernardino-