Garry Kasparov

Garry Kasparov
Fryta 73 from Strzegom · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Garry Kasparov
Birth date	April 13, 1963
Birth place	Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union
Title	Grandmaster (chess)

Garry Kasparov is a renowned Russian chess player, former World Chess Champion, and political activist, known for his dominant play and contributions to the development of chess theory. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union, Kasparov rose to prominence under the guidance of Alexander Shakarov and Vladimir Makogonov. He became a Grandmaster (chess) at the age of 17, earning recognition from the World Chess Federation and FIDE. Kasparov's early success was influenced by Mikhail Botvinnik, Vasily Smyslov, and Tigran Petrosian, who were all World Chess Champions.

● Early Life and Career

Kasparov's introduction to chess was facilitated by his parents, Kim Moiseyevich Weinstein and Clara Gasparian, who encouraged his interest in the game from a young age. He attended the Baku Chess School and later the Young Pioneers Palace in Baku, where he received coaching from experienced chess players like Alexander Shakarov. Kasparov's talent was recognized by Mark Dvoretsky, a prominent chess coach, who helped him develop his skills. As Kasparov's career progressed, he became associated with Anatoly Karpov, Viktor Korchnoi, and Bobby Fischer, all of whom were influential figures in the chess world.

● Chess Career

Kasparov's chess career was marked by numerous victories in prestigious tournaments, including the Tilburg chess tournament, Linares chess tournament, and Moscow chess tournament. He competed against notable players like Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, and Boris Gelfand, and his games were often analyzed by chess experts like Garry Kasparov's contemporaries, Jonathan Speelman and John Nunn. Kasparov's playing style was influenced by Emanuel Lasker, Jose Capablanca, and Alexander Alekhine, all of whom were World Chess Champions. His rivalry with Anatoly Karpov was particularly notable, with the two players competing in several high-profile matches, including the World Chess Championship 1985.

● World Chess Championship

Kasparov's most significant achievement was becoming the World Chess Champion, a title he held from 1985 to 1993 and again from 1993 to 2000. He won the World Chess Championship 1985 against Anatoly Karpov, and successfully defended his title against Anatoly Karpov in 1986, 1987, and 1990. Kasparov's championship matches were often closely followed by the chess community, with experts like Raymond Keene and William Hartston providing commentary and analysis. The World Chess Championship 1993 was a notable exception, as Kasparov broke away from FIDE and formed the Professional Chess Association (PCA), leading to a rival championship match against Nigel Short.

● Post-Retirement and Politics

After retiring from professional chess in 2005, Kasparov became increasingly involved in Russian politics, founding the United Civil Front and later joining the The Other Russia coalition. He was a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin and the Russian government, and was arrested several times for his involvement in protests and demonstrations. Kasparov's political activities were supported by organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy and the Open Society Foundations, and he worked closely with Russian activists like Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny. Kasparov also wrote several books on chess and politics, including How Life Imitates Chess and Winter Is Coming: Why Vladimir Putin and the Enemies of the Free World Must Be Stopped.

● Legacy and Impact

Kasparov's legacy in the chess world is undeniable, with many considering him one of the greatest players of all time. His contributions to chess theory and his influence on modern chess players are still widely recognized, with players like Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and Sergey Karjakin citing him as an inspiration. Kasparov's work as a chess commentator and analyst has also been widely acclaimed, with his commentary on chess tournaments and matches being broadcast on platforms like Chess.com and YouTube. The Kasparov Chess Foundation was established to promote chess education and development, and Kasparov has worked with organizations like the World Chess Federation and the European Chess Union to promote the game globally. Category:Chess players