English team wins chess victory

English team wins chess victory

The English chess team has won the European Championship in Pula, Croatia. England ended level with Russia in first place, but took the title on tie-break. It is the first time England have captured a major title in a team event.

During the 1980s, when both Nigel Short and Jonathan Speelman progressed to the final stages of the world individual championship, England was second only to the Soviet Union in the world rankings.

The collapse of the USSR, however, not only failed to diminish Russian dominance, but unleashed a dozen teams from the former Soviet republics all capable of challenging for medals at major events.