After the fallout with the Botswana Chess Federation on Monday, Grand Master (GM) Nigel Short of England was a different man on Tuesday night when he motivated players and engaged in simultaneous games.

The GM was in a jovial mood as he shared with players his experiences and tips on how to improve. The one and a half hour motivational speech was followed by a simultaneous contest against 21 of the country's best players. The GM won 19 games and drew four. The Botswana chessmen who stemmed the tide against the GM were Moakofi Notha, Edwin Kabelo, Baone Kealeboga and Kenneth Boikhutswane.

Through the proceedings at the Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC), Short did not give indications that he is still bitter about the previous day's events when he walked out of a press conference in protest after BCF chairman Dabilani Buthali directed harsh words at him.

In his motivational speech, the British GM emphasised the need for the players to use computer programmes to improve. He said in the pre-computer era, a good library was a necessity but things have since changed. "In the past you had to work manually, you had to use your brain. Today you must still use your brain, but you can then check your conclusions on the computer," he said.

He urged players to invest in good computers saying this would allow them access to the same information as the top players in the world. He however cautioned that good chess programmes alone does not make one an outstanding player. He said the programmes are useful when combined with hard work. "These are the basic ingredients. But you have to do the cooking."

Short said today's players are more concrete in their approach to the game. They do not use generalisations like "I can't take that pawn because I'll be subjected to an attack". He said current players analyse if a pawn can be taken or not. If they see no concrete reason not to take it, then they will take it. Short said for players to improve, they must analyse their games whether they lose, draw or win. In order to advance, the GM said sacrifices have to be made by players. He caused laughter when he joked that the proposed liquor laws in Botswana may turn out to be just what the country needs in order to move forward as a chess-playing nation. "Maybe the government has a brilliant plan to make Botswana a top chess playing nation," joked the GM.

He urged players to set themselves goals and time frames to determine if they are improving. He told players to work in groups as two heads are always better than one. "Of course the person you work with will know more about you, but both players will make significant steps in their understanding."

He opposed the gender division in chess where men are seen to be stronger and play in separate competitions from women. He said this implied that men are more intelligent than women. He said scientifically, there is nothing to suggest that men make better players than women. "My opinion is that the difference in the strength of men compared to ladies has only to do with the fact that men outnumber women players. Maybe if there was equality in the number, the strength between the sexes would be about the same," he said.