WORLD
Opposing Putin, Kasparov’s moves increasingly risky
By Douglas Birch
Associated Press
Published April 21, 2007

MOSCOW — Garry Kasparov answered his cell phone in an elevator Friday afternoon, and his expression froze.

The 44-year-old chess grandmaster, locked in the political match of his life with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was told that prosecutors had instructed him to come in on Saturday.

Kasparov’s aggressive style on the chessboard and his refusal to settle for a draw earned him a series of world championships. But he is aware that a blunder in this struggle with the Kremlin could cost him dearly.

“It’s getting dangerous,” he said as his driver weaved through Moscow traffic. “We have to be careful.”

An aide, Marina Litvinovich, later said prosecutors probably weren’t preparing criminal charges, adding that they might be reacting to a request from lawmakers for an investigation into Kasparov’s detention at an anti-Putin rally in Moscow a week ago.

But the call was a chilling reminder of the risks he faces.

Here is the full article.

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