CLEARANCE - English Chess Explosion - From Miles to Short

In February 1976 England obtained her long-awaited first Grandmaster Tony Miles. Since then the combination of careful training, weekend tournaments and sponsorship has brought England to the brink of challenging the Soviet Union for the chess supremacy of the world. The record of success over the last five years has been both consistent and remarkable. Four more players Ray Keene, Michael Stean, John Nunn and John Speelman - have become Grandmasters and in November 1980 the year's tally of first prizes in international tournaments was 19! The team success shows England's strength in depth - particularly among the juniors: Nigel Short became, at 14 1/2 the youngest International Master in the history of Chess. Both he and Tony Miles are surely potential World Champions.