Friday Feature: Garry Kasparov

Garry Kasparov is a Russian chess grandmaster and former world chess champion. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest chess players of all time.Kasparov was born in 1963 in Baku, Azerbaijan. He began playing chess at the age of 10, and by the time he was 13, he had become the youngest Soviet National Master.

He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest grandmaster in the world at the age of 17. In 1984, Kasparov became the world chess champion by defeating the reigning champion, Anatoly Karpov. He held the title for the next 15 years, until he was defeated by Vladimir Kramnik in 2000. Throughout his career, Kasparov was known for his aggressive and dynamic playing style. He was particularly skilled at attacking his opponents' positions and creating complex, tactical situations on the board.

Kasparov also used his chess skills in the realm of diplomacy, demonstrating the use of his passion to enact significant change. In 2005, he played a series of chess matches against the Israeli grandmaster Alik Gershon in order to promote peace and understanding between Russia and Israel.

One of Kasparov's most famous quotes is, "Chess is everything: art, science, and sport." Despite his retirement from professional chess in 2005, Kasparov remains an influential figure in the world of chess. He continues to promote the game through his writing and public speaking, and he remains one of the most celebrated chess players of all time.

Garry Kasparov