End Game: Kasparov Vs. Short

English chess grandmaster Nigel Short, whose blithe air of unconcern masks his demonic competitiveness, in 1993 became the first Westerner since Bobby Fischer to challenge the Soviet dominance of world chess. Short's loss to Russian champion Gary Kasparov in a two-month contest in London is the centerpiece of British chess journalist Lawson's riveting narrative, which also follows the principals' triumphs and defeats over the last decade. Lawson, a friend of Short and member of his entourage, bristles with fine disdain for Kasparov, described here as an egotist who needs to win every argument about every game, a master of psychological warfare given to distracting antics, aggressive stares and tricks designed to rattle opponents. Lawson writes with brio and uncanny insight into chess's mental and strategic dimensions, with analogies comparing chess to two other tense sports, tennis and boxing. (July)