LONDON. Oct 9: World chess champion Garri Kas-l>arov meets British underdog Nigel Short for the 15th

time on Saturday in his quest to retain his title Without losing a game, reports Reuter.

Azeri-born Kasparov, who leads the match 9-1 /2 to 4-1 /2 after scoring five wins and nine draws', starts with the advantage of white pieces and the first move as he edges closer to a winning total of 12-1/2 points in the 24-game contest. '

But both the Kasparov and Short campshad to face off the Ixtard distractions.

Kasparov told reporters lie

had been stopped by police on Thursday while taking a late walk in London's Regents Park after the gates had been locked at 11 pm.

Short's aide. English Grandmaster Jonathan Speelman. had his match preparation work disrupted when a suspected Irish Guerrilla bomb exploded near his North London apartment. No one was injured In the bombing.

Kasparov claimed he was ■ threatened with arrest for being in the park after hours although a police spokesman said this was unlikely. Aides said the fiery champion took the incident in good humour.