Garry Kasparov

Garry Kasparov (Russian: Га́рри Ки́мович Каспа́ров; Russian pronunciation: [ˈgarʲɪ ˈkʲiməvʲɪtɕ kɐˈsparəf]) (born as Garry Kimovich Weinstein on April 13, 1963, in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union; now Azerbaijan) is a Russian former World Chess Champion, often regarded to have been the greatest chess player of all time. He is also a writer and political activist. Kasparov became the youngest ever undisputed World Chess Champion in 1985. He held the official FIDE world title until 1993, when a dispute with FIDE led him to set up a rival organization, the Professional Chess Association. He continued to hold the "Classical" World Chess Championship until his defeat by Vladimir Kramnik in 2000. He is also widely known for being the first world chess champion to lose a match to a computer, when he lost to Deep Blue in 1997. Kasparov's ratings achievements include being rated world #1 according to Elo rating almost continuously from 1986 until his retirement in 2005 and holding the all-time highest rating of 2851. He also holds records for consecutive tournament victories and Chess Oscars.Kasparov announced his retirement from professional chess on March 10, 2005, to devote his time to politics and writing. He formed the United Civil Front movement, and joined as a member of The Other Russia, a coalition opposing the administration of Vladimir Putin. He was a candidate for the 2008 Russian presidential race, but later withdrew. Widely regarded in the West as a symbol of opposition to Putin, Kasparov's support in Russia is low