Tuesday, January 19, 2010

GM Nigel Short ... talks about chess journalism



While surfing on the net, GiLoCatur found the following interview between Edwin Lam Choong Wai, a ChessBase columnist, and GM Nigel Short of England (the above picture, from chessbase.com). It talks about chess journalist and chess bloggers. His points and insights can be a reference and guide for all chess journalists (which GiLoCatur is still very far distance to be) and bloggers.

Edwin Lam: In your opinion, what was the role of a chess journalist back then?

Nigel Short: Chess journalists should inform and entertain.

Edwin Lam: The Internet emerged as a great force in the 1990s. In your opinion, how has the Internet changed the face of chess journalism?

Nigel Short: It has made it much easier to cover events.

Edwin Lam: And, how has the Internet changed the role of a chess journalist in the past 15 years?

Nigel Short: Nowadays everyone is a big genius sitting on his fat arse in front of the computer watching Rybka and Fritz whirring away. Therefore journalists who just copy and paste cyber evaluations don't produce anything worthwhile. I am certain there is a huge unmet demand for humorous, instructive, amusing, quality writing.

Edwin Lam: Over the past few years, very many chess players have also started blogging. How do you see the role of bloggers being different from that played by a chess journalist?

Nigel Short: I have not given enough thought to this question.


Source : http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4937


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