Garry Kasparov ignored by chess world championship organizers in Chennai
Kasparov, who will run for Fide president next year, says he is ‘here as a chess tourist’
Arundhati Ramanathan
Chennai: Twenty years after he drove a wedge through the chess fraternity by starting a rival world championship, Garry Kasparov—one of the greatest in the sport ever—continues to get short shrift from the world chess federation, which goes by its French acronym, Fide.
The 50-year-old legend did not get any attention from the organizers of the world championship match underway in Chennai when he arrived in the city on Monday for a two-day visit to cheer for Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian challenger to Viswanathan Anand’s world title.
Kasparov, a Russian, has briefly coached Carlsen in 2009, keeping their collaboration under wraps for several months until the Norwegian chess prodigy abruptly called it off, saying that he wasn’t comfortable working with him.
On Monday, Kasparov checked into Chennai’s Hyatt Regency hotel, where the match is being played, at around 5.20pm, accompanied by his wife. No one except some hotel officials received him.
Kasparov has come on his own, not at the invitation of the world chess federation, said Fide vice-president D.V. Sundar. “Who are we to welcome or not welcome him?” he asked.
Kasparov will not be allowed to address the media at the venue of the world chess championship match, a key official said.
“I have been advised by the Indian chess federation that he should not be allowed to enter the media centre (from where Fide officials and the two players have been addressing press conferences),” Arvind Aaron, press officer for the Chennai 2013 world title match, said on Monday.
More here.
FIDE needs to cancel all of Kasparov’s records like they did with Lance Armstrong. They should reinstate Karpov’s title all the way back to the 1980s, then remake the succession line as:
Fischer – Karpov – Anand – Carlsen(maybe)
The only thing Kasparov knows is the opening anyway. He would crumble against an endgame expert like Carlsen who knows nothing about the opening.
Also, Putin is giving humanitarian shelter to Edward Snowden who Kasparov opposes, this says it all!
When history applies the chess engines to all of Kasparov’s games I bet they are all deeply flawed like those of Mikhail Tal, so no lose there either. Now Kasparov wants to be a citizen in Tal’s country. See the connection?
Also, having Kasparov in India is not good for Anand who does not need to be reminded on the New York match in which cheated him out of a title. India should eject him at the border.
This match is not about kasparov – or putin! or politic… but about the champ Anand and the young challenger Magnus Carlsen. Period.
Who is Kasparov?
Kasparov used computer to beat Shirov.
What a disgrace. FIDE should be ashamed.
It is really bad of FIDE to have ignored Kasparov ,one of the most talented chess players the world has even seen; shame of the Indian
yes men of FIDE,who failed to take some initiative at least to officially acknowledge the presence of former world chess champion
It’s a shame like others here. What about merchandizing? You can’t get a pencile, T-Shirt or a Signature from the players nor make a photo. You can see the games from the 8th move because of press photograph in front of the glass wall. Boring 20 move drawns. Visitors come maybe from far away – this is a WORLD CHAMPIONSIP, Players fear the first loose and hide out. Im dissapointed. Next time I visit Snooker again.
AICF has shown their standard and level. He is Gary Kaspparov… The Gary Kasparov… Whatever he is fighting for… he was a world champion. He should have been treated as guest celebrity. In future, if Anand retires and if he is treated like this in another country then, whom we will blame? AICF, please leave all politics aside and give respect to the Living Legend…
So much of what will happens in the world of chess seems to ride on Gary Kasparov. It is good that he is in Chennai after speaking at the THiNK conference in Goa.
I think kaspy has an obnoxious behavior.. very selfish.. still i feel sad he got such a low key welcome.. probably justice served for Game 10 1995 behavior.. who would have thought Garry would come calling to get snubbed.. Look at the way vishy treats carlsen..
It’s clear that Kasparov is here to campaign and to rattle the players. He can’t stand that Anand and Carlsen are in the limelight for these 3 weeks.
Funny Kasparov said he’s not here to campaign but he knows where to find journalists to start attacking the organizers and FIDE. What a liar.
He wants to be noticed, good for the organizers to ignore the arrogant bumb!
Kasparov deserves a very cold shoulder. He is a divider and troublemaker without scruples. AICF should ensure that he causes no ripples whatsoever in Anand’s hometown. Doubtless the Carlsen camp has invited him, hoping to rattle Anand. Try any trick, however low down, is the way to go for Carlsen / Kasparov and gang.
Indian chess lovers have not obviously forgiven the great Kasparov for the ’95 defeat of Anand. That match, I rememeber, generated much more hype than the current one. The tension mounted every game with the first 8 games drawn and when Anand won the 9th game, it was thought that he would now have a cake walk. But Kasparov, true to his personality, came back like a lion and smashed Anand in 10th game and then ran away with the championship. His demeanour in the 10th game where he made a surprising variation and walked out to the rest room banging the door behind him was big news in Indian papers. So Indian chess lovers hated him then. But we would do well to remember that he is the best ever chess player, a legend and far far above Anand. There is no harm in saluting the real champion – Salaam Garry, Welcome to India.
No kidding. My kid saw Mrs Kasparov and asked whether it is Carlsen..I had a relook and hey he was not very far off..