Short about (Shatranj) chess
Shatranj (chess) is the king of the game (or the game of the Kings). Fighting on a chessboard is a struggle of clever (or minds). Chess, a game that develops and sharpens the mind. Chess, although a game, but it is very wonderful and original art.
It is known from history that science, civilization of humanity developed under the influence of chess, and military actions were prevented that could have caused the death of millions of people, great destruction and misfortune.
Photo-1. Shatranj (Chess)
For the first time chess appeared in India. From there they spread to Persia and to the entire Islamic world. Chess is systematically played for almost 1,400 years. But, they were known in the millennium BC.
Although chess appeared in India, their development and improvement took place in the Islamic world:
Muhammad bin Sirin, Said bin Juraidi, Hishom bin Urva were great chess players of the 8th century. With their eyes closed, they played against dozens of strong chess players at the same time (they were given a session) and confessed to a miracle in chess.
Grandchildren Hishom bin Urva - Safia, Aisha, Ubaida were non-produced chess players of their time.
The first great competitions in the history of chess (championship) took place between the great chess players of that time, Al-Adli and Ar-Rosiy in 847 in the presence of the Caliph (emperor) Al-Mutawakkil. Every chess player wrote books about chess. The chessboard and the figures of that time did not differ from the current ones, but in their movements and capabilities some figures were somewhat different from the current ones.
In the 8th and 9th centuries, in the Islamic world, chess became so popular that even the caliphs themselves (emperors) were good chess players and when they were appointed to the position of the central office or the head of the region, they took into account the ability of the game of chess.
Lyrical digressions from the topic. Having passed more than a thousand years from these times - at the end of the 20th century, the ruler of Uzbekistan, who loved tennis, also made it obligatory to play tennis for his underlings. Humble ministers and hokims, in their underpants, barely dragging their large bellies, and saying: “And thanks for that, if he ordered football to play, then what would we do,” hardly played tennis. But they complained saying: “Our ruler is also interesting. If he wants to be like a Caliph, then he would order us to play chess, at least checkers. If we do not cope with this, then we would have managed to play dominoes, saying: “Goat!”.
In the 8th century, the renowned Caliph Horun al-Rashid, as always, played chess with his beautiful and treacherous wife. Under the terms of the game, the winner sets its own conditions. The loser must surely fulfil the conditions of the winner.
This time, the caliph won and set the condition: For an hour to stand in the open sun, which the Tsarina did not like terribly. She continued to stand under the hot sun, not even half of the agreed time, the caliph could not tolerate the torment of his wife and rescinded his decision. But, the treacherous Tsarina refused the emperor's mercy and stood under the hot sun for a completely agreed time.
The next game begins and finally this time the Tsarina wins. Caliph standing with eastern respect, waiting for the condition (punishment) of the winner.
The Tsarina knew well that the emperor did not like a terrible, unpleasant maid who washed the dishes in the kitchen. The Tsarina calls her and orders her conquered husband (emperor) to marry her immediately. The Caliph very implored that the winner would cancel this decision (conditions), but the insidious Tsarina insisted on her. The Caliph was forced to fulfil the will of the winner and marry an ugly maid.
A year has passed from this event. The Tsarina gave birth to a son, whom she named Al-Amin. A little later the second son of the caliph is born, from the maid. Which was called Al-Mamoun. Al-Amin with a mother, not labouring, grows in abundance. Al-Ma'mun also grows with his mother, but by labouring, in lack and among servicemen and the military.
When the princes reached a mature age, there were clear advantages of Al-Mamun in efficiency, courage, cleverness and organizational ability in comparison with Al-Amin, therefore the caliph (emperor) chose heir to priest Al-Mamun.
But the treacherous Tsarina is trying to get Al-Mamun to be sent by the hokim (ruler) to distant lands - to Merv (the present city of Mary, the Republic of Turkmenistan). His son - al-Amin, heir to throne.
When al-Ma'mun began to work for the hokim of this (Khurosan and Mavarannakhr) regions, all kinds of wars and riots stopped. Received the rapid development of science and education.
Al-Ma'mun gathers in Merv, al-Khorazmiy and his students from Khorezm (Khiva), scientists at the head of al-Farganiy from the Fergana Valley. And all the notable scholars from Mavarannakhr (now Uzbekistan) and Khorasan (now Turkmenistan, Iran). Here studies, discoveries and inventions of world significance are being carried out. Thus, Merv is transformed into one of the centres of world science.
Al-Amin, who was the heir to the throne, for a short time, leads the caliphate (empire) to collapse. Therefore, al-Ma'mun is called to Baghdad and occupies the throne.
The Baghdad Caliph (Emperor) al-Ma'mun, from Merv to Baghdad invites many scholars (Ahmad Farganiy, Habash Hasib Marvazy, Abul Abbos Zhavkhariy and others) to lead al-Khorazmiy. It also collects from the territory of the Caliphate (from the Islamic world) many scientists in Baghdad.
Photo-2. The great encyclopedic scholar,
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khorezmiy
There, at the head of al-Khorazmiy, the first Oriental Academy of Sciences is founded - Bayt ul-Hikma (the house of the smart), where a number of studies, discoveries and inventions of world importance were carried out, which became the impetus for the development of science and civilization of mankind.
Al-Ma'mun, like his father, Horun al-Rashid, was a good chess player. He appeared in this world (born) under the influence of chess. It may be, therefore, paid special attention to the further development of chess in the Islamic world.
He constantly organized chess tournaments in the country. Al-Khorazmiy and other scholars Bayt ul-Hikma also took part in chess competitions. According to some reports, al-Khorazmiy wrote a program (mathematical model) for chess. Unfortunately, like many of his works, this book did not reach us.
If you have noticed, firstly, at the request of Allah and also because of chess, the birth of al-Mamun, under his cover and under the leadership of al-Khorazmiy, the development of science and world civilization - is this all, is it not miracle, chess ?!
About chess geniuses
From ancient times to the present day, great chess players are known to us as: Muhammad bin Sirin, Said bin Judeir, Hishom bin Urva, Alexander Alekhin, Bobby Fisher, Garry Kasparov, Nigel Shorts are recognized as chess geniuses.
Photo-3. The first world champion Wilhelm Steinitz
The first world champions in modern chess were: Wilhelm Stainitz (1886-1894), Emanuel Lasker (1894-1921), Raul Capablanca (1921-1927), Alexander Alekhin (1927-1935 and 1937-1946).
In the history of modern chess, A. Alekhin's place is special. He was born in 1896, in Moscow, in an aristocratic family, and died in 1946, without giving up the champion title (Photo-4).
He loved to drink, because of vodka, he lost the world title. Soon (1935) he will again regain his champion title, arguing that he is a real genius in chess. He played simultaneously with ten of the players with his eyes closed.
Photo-4. 4 world champion Alexander Alekhin
In chess (in vodka, too) after A.Alekhina, as a genius, B. Fisher won recognition - the 11th world champion. He was born in 1942, in the state of Chicago, in the USA and died in 2008 in Europe. He was known for his non-ordinary (hooligan) behaviour, too (Photo-5). B. Fisher in 1985, in order to play (defended his champion title) in the world championship with A. Karpov, put forward 16 stupid conditions. The chess federation and its rival agreed with 15 points of its conditions. Only one thing could not be taken due to excessive offense. Therefore, the federation took away the champion title from Fisher and awarded him to Karpov.
Photo-5. 11 World Champion Bobby Fisher
Due to the behavior of A. Alekhin and B. Fisher in chess and in private life, such proverb-like words appear: “A. Alekhin is a full-time genius, half-time drunk. B. Fisher is a full-time eccentric (fool), half-rate genius. ”
Two great chess players recognized by chess geniuses are our contemporaries, this is G.Kasparov and Short.
The 13th world champion Garry Kasparov was born in 1953, in Baku, in the former USSR. His mother (Kasparyan) was an Armenian, his father (Weinstein) was a Jew. He lived up to 12 years as Garry Weinstein. After the death of the father, the mother changes his surname to Kasparian. In order to avoid barriers in the chess career, the mother again changed his surname to Kasparov.
Photo-6. 13th world champion in FIDE and RSA Garry Kasparov
In the history of chess, a few (G.Kasparov, N.Short, Sh.Anand) chess players received the title of grandmaster at the Youth age. G.Kasparov is the youngest (at the age of 22) world champion in the history of chess. And he was also the PCA World Champion - the World Professional Chess Players Association.
Another great chess player, our contemporary - Nigel Short, was born in 1965, in the city of Leigh, in Lancashire, Great Britain.
As a young man he won against such world chess leaders as Victor Korchnoi (Photo-17). In chess career, he spent about 1,500 games, where he won the vast majority. He is the repeated champion of Great Britain and Europe, the author of a number of books on chess strategy and tactics.
Photo-7. 14 World Champion Viswanathan Anand
On the initiative of N.Short, in 1993, a new international chess organization was founded - the World Professional Chess Players Association (PCA), which was a competitor to the existing International Chess Federation (FIDE). Such strongest professional chess players of the world as G.Kasparov, N.Short, A.Karpov, S.Anand, Kramnik, Topalov, A.Shirov, V.Ivanchuk, M.Adams, V.Korchnoi and others were members of this organization.
In 1993, the World Chess Championship was held among professional chess players of the world. In this championship, in which ten professional chess players of the world took part, N.Short defeated J. Timman, former world champion A.Karpov, future world champion Sh.Anand, and met with world champion G. Kasparov (Photo-18).
Wilhelm Stainitz, Akiba Rubenstein, Raul Capablanca, Aron Nimsovich, Tigran Petrosyan, Anotoly Karpov, Nigel Shorts are recognized as the strongest chess strategists.
According to their teachings, a chess player should have: endurance, not to be arrogant from temporary successes, not to get lost in case of failure, to respect and value the opponent.
In a chess game, statics (permanent) and the speaker (tactics) of the king’s ability and protection should be provided. Attention should be paid to the movement of the figures and their cross-link ability.
Photo-8. World Champion 2004, Rustam Kasymzhanov
The role of a chess strategy is to create several (the following) statics of possibilities:
- To create as far as possible more material (in figures) possibilities.
- Provide comfortable movements of the figures.
- Create optimal pawn locations.
- Take more territory on the board, moving pieces and pawns.
- Provide protection (especially after varnishing) the king's position.
I am not a chess player, but ...
I am not a chess player, but I myself cannot believe that sometimes I beat the famous chess players. Let's talk about this later, and now in order.
In my youth, I was interested in many sports and in some kinds I achieved good results. When was a student of secondary school, I set a record in school jumping the length (5.4 m) and height (1.7 m). In football, I had a nickname: "Iron Goalkeeper", in the fight - "Akhmad strongman" (Photo - 10).
Photo-8A. World champion since 2013. Magnus Carlsen
I do not remember, under the influence of whom, in 1960 in Khorezm (Uzbekistan) checkers developed rapidly. In 1965-1970, in our (Bagat) district, such strong drafts appeared as the mathematics and physics teacher Farhad Zhabbarov, Tura Sartarosh, Azim Sartarosh my classmate Otanazar Aminov, and others. I, as a district champion in checkers, took part in regional championships, took prizes, over-fulfilling the requirements of 1-category in checkers.
Chess is a more complex and long-lasting game, which may be why there were almost no chess players in our district. There were only 2-3 Korean-born chess players in the region.
During his student years (1967-1972), chess was sometimes played on cotton and in educational practice.
Photo 10. Akhmad strongman on sports performances
From 1972 I began working as a research at the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. Among the scientists of this institute there were many who loved to play chess. In the scientific expedition, especially in cotton, we played chess until midnight.
Among them, the weakest player was me. If someone lost and was upset, they won against me and thus raised their mood. According to the proverb: “If you always beat a coward, he turns into a brave one”, within 2-3 years, I became one of the strongest chess players of the institute.
Photo-9. Competition for evaluation between student and professor
Even the director of our institute, academician Z.K.Saidov, was also a fan of chess. This may be why in 1976 he recruited a pupil of the first grandmaster of Uzbekistan Mukhitdinov, master of sports in chess, Mirza ake, as deputy director for the economic part of the institute.
In 1976, employees of our institute harvested cotton at the Boevut State Farm, Sirdarino Region. I was on a scientific expedition, so I joined the cotton harvesters 2 weeks later.
Before my arrival there were many chess games. Master of Sports of the USSR in chess, deputy director - Mirza aka, turns out to play chess for money. At each game he bet 50 rubles, and his opponent must bet half (25 rubles). With weaker chess players, he played without one piece. Several times he conducted a session with 20-25 chess players for 10 rubles from each player.
Photo 11. Competition in the Tashkent Agrarian and Economic College
Due to the fact that playing with such a famous chess player was considered an honor, many local (Boyavut) chess players paid money and played chess with him. But, no one could defeat him.
On that day, when I arrived at the clap, the institute staff persuaded me to play with Mirza Aka. I refused, arguing that I do not have the extra 25 rubles, in order to obviously lose them. In order for me to play chess with Mirza aka, the staff collected 4-5 rubles and put them on the game. Dozens of people watched our game around us. It is interesting that almost everyone was rooting for me.
As you know, all good chess players start the game (with white) by moving the pawns from d7 to d5, or (black) from d2 to d4. And I basically start moving (on white) from b7 to b6, (on black) b2 b3. Therefore, many chess players have embarrassed me saying: “He makes a children's move” and often lose. I also started the game with Mirza aka with this move. He, pointing to my move, turned to the fans: “This kid doesn't even know how he moves.” Then the fans said: “What is your business, how he moves. Win and take your money. ”
Mirza aka played with me absolutely not recognizing me. Often saying, “Bobby Fisher does this when he plays,” and the cigarette blew on my face. (B.Fisher scoffed at his rivals while playing on his foolish behaviours).
Photo-12. College champion (and Stockport) A. Khorazmiy with his prize
Soon, as a result of inattention, he lost a single piece (an elephant). My fans perked up, I became more confident. And my rival pointing to weaker players and saying: “When I play with these, I always play without one figure, this is also the same” and the smoke of my cigarette is still blowing more strongly on my face.
A little later he lost one more pawn. The fans applauded. The deputy director for research, Ghaffar Rakhimov, ran into the room where the director was lying. At this time, our director was lying down with a cold, taking medicine. Because he could not take part as a fan in our game. Ghaffar aka came in and said: “Domla (teacher), come on, Khorazmiy does hook the tail of Mirza aka (convincing superiority)”.
Photo-13. Chess competition at the Centre (in the club) of foreigners in Stockport
Last year, when I played chess with other rivals while watching our game, Academician J. Saidov said: “Aлhmadzhon, are you a loser?” Then I accidentally replied: "On the contrary, I am now doing his tail twist." After that, wherever the director would not meet me, he always joked: “Well, how do you still make twist tails?”.
The director also joined the fans, supporting me: “Keep it up, Akhmadjon!”. From this, my mood rose even higher, and Mirza aka began to freak out. As a result, he lost one more pawn. Fans shouting applauded. Then Mirza aka pissed off to the fans, “Shut up, you fools!”
Photo-14. Family Chess Championship
My opponent, in order to reduce the difference in figures, began to attack from different sides and weakened the defense of his king. Using this opportunity, I declared a check with the help of a horse. Although this move was my one, I couldn’t checkmate him, but my horse hit the fork on his check and queen. After that, it became clear that not only any master, even the grandmaster would lose. Fans shouting and hugging congratulated me. The director said: “Uh, Mirza's ponytail became a hook!”, applauded.
To bewildered Mirza ake, I reminded the raised tones: “I declared you a Shah!” Then Mirza aka abruptly took his Shah and the queen from the board and shouted: “Behold, you are a Shah!”, hit my face. My lips were damaged, blood started flowing ... This was my last game of chess in the 20th century.
Ironically, when I worked in Mozambique (Africa) and in Khorezm (Uzbekistan), for more than a quarter of a century I did not have the time and opportunity to play chess.
Photo-14A. Champion with a diploma and a cup
When (2002-2004) I was a professor at the Tashkent State Agrarian University, I was very happy playing chess and I took part in the University championship.
At that time, every summer, student-athletes fled to the Republican Games of the Sports Olympiad. In this connection, student-athletes passed exams on resolution ahead of schedule.
Such students usually came to take exams without proper training. The administration has always said: "Please give them a positive assessment, then they will defend the honor of the University with the mood." Therefore, most teachers cursing put "3". And I, as a sports fan and a former athlete, put them "4."
One day, on such a day, for the early passing of the exam, a short student approached me. Looking at her with surprise, I asked: “Are you an athlete too?” She said that she was playing chess. Then I suggested to her: “You will play chess with me. If you can beat me, I bet you "5", if you lose, then I bet "3". If there is a draw, the student asked. If, even, you can make a draw, I will give you a 5, I said. She straightaway agreed. “Although she is so small but brave,” such an idea came to my mind (photo-9).
Photo-15. Competition by chess master Martin Popе
When the game reached half, I was convinced that she was a strong chess player and tried to change more figures. At the end of the game, although we were equal in quality and quantity of figures, in position she was strong. I felt that play to the end, can bring trouble to me.
Then I suggested to her: “We are equal in quality and quantity, well, I agree to a draw”, showing as if I am doing her services. My rival smiled slyly: “Domla (teacher), let's finish the game,” she said. When I said that I was in a hurry, we agreed on a draw and I gave her a "5".
Then, when I learned that she even beat the rector of the University, H. Buriev, who was considered one of the leading chess players of the University. Also, it turns out she is the leading chess player among women of the Republic.
In 2005, I worked as a dean of the Tashkent Agrarian and Economic College. Then, in a short time, the number of chess players at the college increased threefold. Starting from the leadership of the college, ending as a janitor, everyone began to play chess. Often there were such days that they played chess until midnight (photo - 11).
Ironically, in November 2005, he began to live in the city of Stockport UK. I started studying English at Stockport College, which is the largest educational institution in the city.
At the end of 2006, competition conducted at Stockport College Championship. I also took part and reached the final. In the final, my opponent was the multiple champion of the college and the city, the deputy College Director Jhon Wilkinson.
The final game watched the whole college. Almost all fans cheered for Jhon. Only my classmates and some ESOL teachers were supporting me - only 15-20 people. Then for the first time I felt that the fans were a great support for my opponent. But it turned out, the support of Allah above all and I became the winner.
The college director Peter Roberts, with applause, handed me a champion prize - a computer with a chess program (photo - 12). On these events in the newspaper of the college and the city under the heading: "The new champion of the college and Stockport", a large article was published.
March 21, 2008, in order to take part in the celebrations of the Nowruz holiday, went by bus to London. My companion was Martin Pope - a 25-26 year old Englishman. It turned out that he spoke Russian well and was also a great chess lover. By this we became close friends in the future.
After returning from London, Martin came to visit. We played chess until morning (photo-15). Thus, he often came to visit and our main occupation was a chess game. Frankly speaking, in chess, Martin was much stronger than me.
Then it turned out that Martin was a nearly professional chess player. It turns out he was multiple champions of his city. He knew the theory and strategy of the chess game well. 13-world champion Garry Kasparov gave him his book, where he personally wrote, a wish for further success in his chess career.
As Martin confirms, my main flaws in chess are that I don’t know chess theory well, I don’t have enough exposure in analyzing the situation, I lose hope with a little loss and others. And with all this, there were not enough days, I beat Martin 2: 0 and even 3: 0. Perhaps, therefore, Martin called me: "Unpredictable chess player."
Fighting Grandmasters
Frankly speaking, before that, not only the games of grandmasters, I did not even see a live grandmaster. Reading about such grandmasters as A.Alekhin, B.Fisher, N.Short, I thought that they were God's miracle in chess. Those who play with them in the sessions, I did not understand how they dared to play against such grandmasters.
Photo-16. Competitions with African grandmaster L.Ndhlovu
In Stockport, where I live, in the centre of foreigners, every Saturday, from 12 to 2 o'clock there are foreigners from different countries. They communicate, eat together, play different games. I also often visit this centre.
In 2007, in November, I came to the centre an hour later. In the hall, one African, for 40 years, placing chess in front of him, shouted: “Please, whoever is willing,” was waiting for an opponent. I asked who I know from long ago: “Why do not you play with him?” They replied: “We played with him, but he beat us easily. Maybe you can try to play with him. You are still much stronger than us. ”
Photo-17. Competitions of the young grandmaster (N.Short) for the champion title
The game has begun. When I made a move that is not typical of good chess players, my opponent, looking intently at me, asked: “Did you play chess before, too?” And without waiting for my answer, he began to explain: “The horse goes like this, the elephant goes like this,” etc. Although I was a little angry, I pulled myself together and fell silent.
He played with me absolutely not recognizing me. When he made a move, he only looked at the chessboard, read the newspaper the rest of the time. As a result, not much time passed, he lost the tour. But he did not pay even serious attention to this loss. Later he was forced to exchange his knight for a pawn.
Everyone was starting to root for me. He has already stopped reading the newspaper; he devoted all his attention to the chessboard. He no longer made mistakes. I began to change figures without stopping, even to the detriment of my position. In connection with the decrease in the number of pieces on the chessboard, my victory became obvious. Not ending the game, he admitted his defeat.
Photo-18. Final meeting of the World Championships of the World Professional Chess Players Association (PCA)
Everyone congratulated me. But, my rival hastily gathered not only his own, but even my pieces on the chessboard and said: “Here I went, your turn, go.” I, too, like him, wanted to say: “Oh, have you ever played chess?”, but did not say.
I was preparing to leave because I was in a hurry. He began to plead saying: "Please, although we will play this game." I showed him a piece of paper where it was written about my meeting at 2 o'clock. And I promised him that next Saturday we will definitely play here and say goodbye.
The next day after lunch, someone knocked on the door. I thought it was a neighbour and opened the door. I was very surprised that yesterday’s chess player stood on the threshold. I saw him for the first time only yesterday, the more I did not invite him. Although I was surprised where he got my address from, how he found my house, I invited him home asking: “What fate?”.
Photo 19. Position of the game in the middle of a match
He said that he could not sleep all night because of yesterday’s defeat. He took my address from the international centre of foreigners and barely found my home. Came to play chess. And he urged me to play chess with him.
I felt sad for his love of chess and said: “Oh my friend, be comfortable and do not worry, we will play chess until the morning” and set the table.
After lunch, at his request, they brought a table where we play chess, in an official form. As yesterday's winner, I played with white and like yesterday, I made the first move, moving the pawns from b7 to b6. He stared at me and my course several times. I said smiling: “Well, do you want to show how the figures go?”. He replied: “No, it was this move that finished me off yesterday,” and in order to move the first move, he thought for more than 10 minutes.
In short, we played chess from lunch until sunrise on the following day. Truth be told absolutely most of the games he won. I played a game of chess in the years with chess players of different levels, but I haven’t met such a strong chess player.
Seeing him off, I said: “You are in no way inferior to the masters of sports.” He smiled and said: "I am not a master, but a grandmaster." Then I found out, it turns out he is an international grandmaster, a repeated champion of his country and Africa. In the World Chess Championship, he played with Anotoly Karpov too.
Photo-20. Grandmaster N.Short (left) and master M.Popе (right) in competitions.
In November 2010, Martin brought to my home the announcement that he was recognized as a great chess player, international grandmaster Nigel Short in Ley, where he was born and raised, conducts a chess session (simultaneous game with ten players)
I refused to take part in this session, as before (in 2007), I played a grandmaster and lost with a big difference. Then Martin said: “To play with such a great chess player as N. Short, people dream all their lives. Even to lose to such a chess player as Short is also not an honour? ” And adding: “You are an unpredictable chess player!”, Raised my spirits. And I agreed to take part in this chess session.
On the appointed day, we arrived at the central club, the city of Ley. Each participant (more than 30 chess players) paid £ 25 and occupied his own table. My place was on the 8-table. The fans were full. Tele, radio and photojournalists were plenty.
Today's participants were champions of cities, regions and famous chess players from Cheshire, Manchester, Lancashire, Liverpool, Yorkshire, which are located in the northern part of the UK. At the meeting today, Martin participated as the champion of the city of Pendle, I as the champion of the city of Stockport.
Photo 21. Positions of the game at the end of the match
When I heard only the name of A.Alekhin, B.Fisher, H. Short, I could not sleep for 2 days. But today, for some reason, I was absolutely calm. But it was not difficult to notice that most of the participants, as they saw Short, began to worry. During the game, some even started to get nervous.
On all chess boards, like playing white, Short made a move, moving the pawn from d7 to d5. In response to this, all the players playing on black made a move moving the pawn from d2 to d4. Only I alone made a move by moving the pawn from b2 to b3.
In order to make the second move, Short came up to me and stood for a long time looking at the chessboard, at the organizers of the competition, at me. The behaviour of Short caused bewilderment to the organizers of the competition, judges, fans. And, I was worried that Short would tell the organizer of the competition: “Why did they turn on this “chess player” for the competition, who does not even know how to move“ and leaves me away from the competition.
It turns out that N.Short is not only a great chess player, but also a man of high culture and intelligence. He did not say a word, made his move and went on.
Before Short came to me, in order to make the next move, the organizers of the competition, judges and journalists already approached. The attention of all the fans was drawn to us.
I made the second move by moving the pawn from g2 to g3. N. Short again looked intently at my move and said to me like a buddy: “Unfortunately, he is a chess player’s name”, shaking his head, made his move and went on.
Thus, each time the Short to me came up, absolutely did not pay attention to the situation on the chessboard and made its move and went on.
When more than half the game passed, more than 10 chess players confessed to their defeat and left the session hall. On the rest of the boards in terms of the quality and number of pieces, the superiority of the Short was clearly visible. Only here the quantity and quality of the figures and the situation on the board were equal (photo - 19).
Now, Mr. Short began to pay attention to our game. This attracted the attention of journalists and fans to our game. Despite the efforts of N.Short, he could not achieve any superiority in terms of figures and in the situation. So he began to get a little nervous. And as a result he made several mistakes. I showed his mistakes to reporters using a finger. And the body and photojournalists of endlessly filmed and photographed our game.
At the end of the session there were one or two chess players. And it was clear that they, too, are losing. We have left three pawns. According to the situation, my possibilities were even somewhat better. The attention of all was drawn only to us.
I moved the king from c2 to d2 (photo - 21). Cheerleaders slightly applauded my move. N. Short, not making his next move, suggested: “I agree to a draw,” and held out his hand to me. I gladly accepted his offer. Most congratulating me said: "In vain you agreed to a draw, your opportunities were better."
N. Short, finishing the game on other boards, came up to me and said with a smile: “Well done, it turns out you are a strong chess player, a worthy opponent. In today's meeting, only one you were able to make a draw, congratulations! ”And congratulating me, I took pictures with me (photo - 22).
Photo-22. International Grandmaster N.Short (left) congratulates his rival. England-2010
Journalists, chess players and fans surrounded us and questions and answers began:
Journalist: -This is a draw, no less than a victory. How did you achieve this?
Khorazmiy: -I achieved this result, not because I am a strong chess player. I achieved this, thanks to the error of my opponent.
Journalist: -One of the great chess players of the world N.Short, what mistakes did you make so that you could take advantage of this?
Khorazmiy: -Mr. Short's first and main mistake was that he played somna without recognizing me. His second mistake was that he was getting nervous as a result made some mistakes.
- Then Short joined in: “Gentlemen, he correctly said. My mistakes should be a school for me and for my followers. ” And turning to me, he asked: “I can’t remember you, what country are you from?”
When I said that I was from Uzbekistan, Short was surprised: “You are Rustam Kasimzhanov. I think he was younger. When I was ranked second in the world, the world champion (2004 in FIDE) R. Kasimzhanov was the 25th player in ratings,” said Kasimzhanov in a somewhat non-appreciative tone.
Khorazmiy: -No, I am not Rustam Kasimzhanov. I am Akhmad-hoji Khorazmiy, I said.
- Then several people simultaneously entered my name on their computer phone and said: "In no country, there is no such champion as Akhmad-hoji Khorazmiy". And one of them said: “There is not a single grandmaster in the world under that name.”
- Then the journalists asked: "Are you a chess player in what rank?" Please tell us about your successes in international chess tournaments. ”
Khorazmiy: - Not only in international competitions, even in regional competitions I did not participate. I do not have even the lowest (third) level in chess. Frankly, I am not a chess player at all. I am only a chess lover, I said.
- Then, coming out, Martin said, smiling: “He is right in saying. Yes, he, as N. Short, is not officially a chess player. But he is not an official and unpredictable chess player.”
The next day, in a number of publications, under the heading: “Successes of the Unpredictable Chess Amateur”, articles with our photos were published. Interestingly, the words: "The unpredictable chess lover" they thought of some kind of title in chess. It may be therefore in these articles there were such phrases as: “A chess player with the title of an unpredictable chess amateur, almost beat the chess player (N. Short), with the title of an international grand master.”
Love for chess, which is I have, apparently, passed on to some children, too. The middle son Ulugbek became the champion of the school (Photo 14A), which is one of the largest school in Stockport (UK). It may be that there is evidence that the father’s talent passes the children through the gene.
Although I am not a chess player, sometimes I look at my part of life that was associated with chess, it is somewhat similar to a satirical and adventure story. On the basis of my life that was associated with chess, I came to the conclusion that chess is not only a wonderful game, it is also a sport, science, art, life and art.
Akhmad-hoji Khorazmiy
UK, 2010.
| 
