Picture courtesy of ChessBase
I was recently asked the following question:
Short or Adams? Which one is the greatest English player ever?
Both have impressive chess resumes. Both have competed in the World Championship. Both have been in the top 10. Which one gets your vote?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Michael Adams
Tony Miles! Get real….
-Mr X
Howard Staunton!
or
Joseph Blackburn!
Bozo the Clown.
RIP
Tony Miles
Alfred Hitchcock
Benny Hill
Boy! That’s a tough one. I admire both men very much. Although Adam’s more recent accomplishments intially had me leaning towards him, I have to second guess myself and go with Nigel Short due to his inspirational play on the board. At this day and age would Mickey Adams best Nigel Short? Probably, but, probably NOT if Short is able to return to his prime of, say ten years ago.
I think Short brought English chess back into the 20th century, while Michael Adams (who is a very nice and down-to-earth guy) is raising the bar in the new millenium.
“Anonymous said…
My ass”
I was thinking about nominating Nigel too…
“I think Short brought English chess back into the 20th century, while Michael Adams (who is a very nice and down-to-earth guy) is raising the bar in the new millenium.”
Why? Did Adams only learn chess after the year 2000?
Hmmmm…..
Queen Elizabeth
Strength-wise nowadays Adams is stronger. Short has more thoughts off the board and contributes more on chess politics and development around the world. All things consider Short has the uphand.
“Strength-wise nowadays Adams is stronger.”
No way! Short, despite his name, is quite tall, whereas Adams is close to being a midget.
Nigel Short could probably pick Adams up and throw him across the room!
Margaret Thatcher
Short won a candidates cycle, including beating Karpov in a match. Although he was trounced by Kasparov, at least he played a world championship match.
So I vote for Short, although I have tremendous respect for Adams.
Short doesn’t hold a lick to Adams.
**Short or Adams? Which one is the greatest English player ever?**
neither
Thr greatest was Staunton or someone who was considered world champion.
Steinitz lived in London 1862-1883- if we could just count him (just kidding).
Well Steinitz was undoubtedly the greatest ever player living in England (his best years were within that period he lived there- 1862-1883)
In a way it’s a tie…Adams has been consistently stronger for many, many years…but, Short has made it through to a World’s championship final match. Nontheless, if I has to choose Short or Adams…I’d say Adams hands down.
Garry Shakespeare: ‘It thou be Short and it thou be short’
Martha Stewart!!!!!!!!!!
Howard Staunton….although, he was too much of a coward to play Morphy. He was still far greater, considering the times and those he played against, than either Adams or Short.
But, Morphy….he was the greatest ever…from any country as compared to the best players alive during his short career.
I think we need to cut Poor Nigel a break here. Somebody seriously mentioned Staunton? umm…ok. Nigel went way further up than any British player and led the way for others to Follow. Mikey Adams is a great player too and to compare them to each other I think is sort of unfair. In Nigels heyday he beat everyone up to Kasparov….and I remember those games….even though Kasparov got off to an incredible 7-2 start…Nigels whites in the Sicilian were certainly not bad…he even missed clear wins. Adams comes from the next generation and has also done England proud. I think credit should be given to Nigel to accept the speed challenge with Keryakin…as we all know…speed is a young mans game.
Hats of to both Nigel and Mickey and thanks for the entertainment…they’re both great to watch..and by the way…Nigel still plays quite well at regular time limits.
Mike Magnan
Well spoken Mr Magnan.
Mr. Magnan,
OooOOooo your white chess piece goodness is to bright for my dark chess piece heart!
I for one, relish the dastardly behavior of my dark minion Nigel.
He’s not quite evil, just annoying.
He will be evil one day.
Short at his best was better than Adams at his very best, but only for a very short (no pun intended)time. Adams never reached a world’s championship final. But all around Adams has been higher rated.
Adams
To anonymous 11:27 – “Adams never reached a world’s championship final”? Didn’t he reach the FIDE WC final in 2004, or my memory is failing me? 🙂
Hi,
Why always to want to compare people? Both where (are…) high top players (Miles also). This is enough IMHO: Two (or three) *great* chess GM.
Who care? I mean, UK arnt that big chess. Are they? Atleast not compared with other nations around
“
But all around Adams has been higher rated.”
But Adams is younger and his ratings are from a period where ratings are inflated compared to those of Short’s prime.
Quite a few players today are rated higher than Fischer was at his peak(2785), but I doubt any of them are better.
neither short or adams, but
Tony Miles was the greatest british
player of all times for sure !!
Actually it’s Adams, Nigel has still
ambitions, but has already seen his best days
I keep reading Tony Miles.
Yeah sure he was a GM and a good player…but certainly not on the same scale as Adams and Short…I mean c’mon….he never even qualified for the candidates cycles….certainly never played any concequential matches…and if memory serves….he got completely obliterated in his short match against Kasparov…I remember some quote of him saying something like….:I never expected to play someone with a thousand eyes…..or something like that.
Adams has yet to be the challenger…geat a player as he is..so my votes for short in his prime.
Hey….he’s still rated pretty high….a lot higher than all these people with their “informed” opinions.
Every one should know that if Short and Adams held a match next month that it would be quite one sided with Adams spanking Short just like Karjakin did. Short is quite a ways past his prime.
It’s very clearly Nigel Short who actually became the challenger for the world championship and thus the world #2.
Michael Adams was consistently top 10 for a number of years but he is not really close to matching Short in a historic sense.
hmmm … I have a great respect for Michael Adams but Short seems the more likely to take risks and therefore the more likely candidate. Presuming of course that spectacular loss can be avoided as in Short’s recent match against Karjakin.
“
Every one should know that if Short and Adams held a match next month that it would be quite one sided with Adams spanking Short just like Karjakin did. Short is quite a ways past his prime.
“
But the question IS who was better in his prime. Obviously, Adams is better now, but so what?
I’m better than Bobby Fischer now and would beat him in 100-0 in a 100 game match because he’s DEAD.
Has to be Miles….
recent form?
if they played a match next month (and they will in London!) my money is on Short!