Chess king Kasparov sees Russian political endgame
Fri Apr 6, 2007 1:56 AM IST
By Mike Collett-White
LONDON (Reuters) – Former chess champion Garry Kasparov, now a political opposition leader, never touches the food and drink when he flies on Russian carrier Aeroflot.
Since training his sights on the Kremlin rather than an opponent’s king, the 43-year-old says personal safety is more of a concern, although he plays down the danger of being poisoned following the murder of dissident Alexander Litvinenko.
“I don’t consume any substances there (on Aeroflot),” Kasparov told Reuters in an interview in London.
…He said he has two bodyguards when in Moscow and four or five armed guards when he travels within Russia. He tries not to take international flights on Aeroflot when he can avoid it.
“Does it reduce the risk? No. If the state wants to go after me they will, but what else can I do? I live in peace with myself.”
Litvinenko was poisoned by a radioactive material and died in London in November. Before his death he blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for being responsible, an accusation the Kremlin denies.
Here is the full story. What do you think of his chances to win the Russian election?
His chances is about zero.. which is good since thats the only reason why he is still alive.
Yes his chances are zero but he still remains an outspoken critic of Putin, which might cause him to die from mysterious circumstances sometime in the future.
The reason that Putin is popular in Russia is because people are more concerned with restoring national pride to Russia than they are with the idea of democracy.
He will lose badly and then will come back to chess.
I am worried about this great World Champion Kasparov. I wish he would go back to chess and not partake in this political battle where checkmate means death.
what is a subtance?
Perhaps he will end up fleeing from his would-be assassins and seek asylum in the U.S. Then we could finally boast about our national chess prowess. 😛
Stop the insane accusations against Putin already. It’s starting to become rather boring.
>>what is a subtance?
He consumed the S on the plane.
Kasparov’s chances of winning an election are of course zero.
However he is able to use the fame and respect he has gained from chess to constantly highlight the issue of Russia’s slide back to authoritarianism.
I think that his fame also shields him somewhat, in that any suspicious incident would immediatley become world news and thus subject to what would be an intolerable level of scrutiny for the Kremlin.
“The reason that Putin is popular in Russia is because people are more concerned with restoring national pride to Russia than they are with the idea of democracy.”
What is the probability of having father and son as presidents in a “real” democracy ?
I thought that only sultans, kings and emperors bear the same surname, but US proves this to be wrong.
US is bringing democracy to Iraq. But no democracy to Saudi Arabia. What is the reason for that ? Do Iraqis deserve democracy more than Saudis ?
Stop bullshitting about this “democracy” thing.
Another chess champion paranoic?
Garri Kimovich was born in Azerbaijan (ex Soviet Union).
Why is he so concern about Russia?
Even his private life is a mess.
Imagine him with his sweet personality in charge of Russia.
I think Kasparov will win the Russian election. Afterward he won’t be content with what he gained and will then procede with a sharp continuation like reforming the old Soviet Union. After that we can expect a dramatic foray into Eastern Europe with much cost in material. At which point Kramnik, who now resides in France will have had enough and will counter Kasparov with strategic national alliances designed to slowly encircle and constrict the Kasparov forces. After many decades of struggle Kasparov and Kramnik will call a draw.
“Does it reduce the risk? No.”
Then he might as well just consume the substances anyway.
it is very easy to be an “outspoken critic of Putin” 🙂 However, Garry simply failed to compose any political program. Loose phrases about “democracy” were good in 1985, when he become the world champion. He can’t explain why “democracy” is gone and how could it be [re]established.
**means death**
LOL. Nobody takes Kasparov seriously (except his Western sponsors… maybe).
Garry, return to chess. We miss you.
If kasparov wins Putin will accuse him of cheating.
What do you think of his chances to win the Russian election?
Almost none. Putin’s people will rig the election to guarantee the result they want. And don’t forget, while Putin is technically not able to run again, they may well change the constitution to allow him to serve as Prime Minister and real ruler under a figurehead president.
Garry should also keep in mind what happened to Yushchenko in Ukraine. Moscow plays for keeps.
If Kasparov wins maybe they can scrap the elections in favor of chess matches. Who ever wins the matches becomes the next president of Russia. It is not a bad system, bloodless transfer of power, and unique in the world. He also might get a rematch with Kramnik that way.
What do you think of his chances to win the Russian election?
Well, for the record, Garry himself isn’t running, correct?
But, really, I do fear for his safety, because he is an irritant to the Putin administration, and while he may be a minor one Putin appears to have shown a willingness to silence such people.
I don’t think any opposition candidate stands much of a chance. Last summer I saw Garry on Charlie Rose with Stephen Cohen, a Princeton (?) professor, a columnist for The Nation, and an expert on Russian politics. Cohen saw few reasons for optimism about opening up Russian politics, at least in the near term.
During the last elections Putin was going to the bathroom far too often.
If Garry Kasparov wins the election in Russia the first thing he will do is silence the media from reporting anything insulting or humiliating about him.
What do you think of his chances to win the Russian election?
Zero. The Russians will not elect a Jew as president. I am surprised that Gary didn’t take that into consideration.
Gabor