Garry Kasparov biography

Garry Kasparov – Biography
Full Name: Garry Kimovich Kasparov
Date of Birth: April 13, 1963
Place of Birth: Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union (now Azerbaijan)
Nationality: Russian (originally Soviet), later Croatian citizenship
Title: Grandmaster (GM)
World Chess Champion: 1985–2000
FIDE Peak Rating: 2851 (July 1999) – the highest in history at that time

 
Early Life
Garry Kasparov was born to a Russian Jewish father and an Armenian mother. He showed exceptional talent for chess from an early age. At age 10, he began studying at the famous Botvinnik Chess School in Moscow. He rose quickly through the Soviet chess system.

 
Rise to the Top
In 1980, Kasparov became the World Junior Chess Champion.
In 1984, he challenged reigning World Champion Anatoly Karpov, beginning one of the most famous rivalries in chess history.
In 1985, at the age of 22, Kasparov became the youngest World Chess Champion in history.
 
World Championship Reign (1985–2000)
Kasparov defended his title successfully five times, including four epic matches against Karpov.
In 1993, he broke away from FIDE (the world chess federation) to form the Professional Chess Association (PCA).
In 2000, he lost his world title to Vladimir Kramnik in a shocking upset.
 
Playing Style and Legacy
Known for his deep opening preparation, dynamic tactics, and aggressive play.
Considered by many as the greatest chess player of all time.
Held the world No.1 ranking for 225 out of 228 months from 1986 to 2005.
 
Man vs. Machine
Kasparov was the first World Champion to face a computer in a serious match.
In 1996, he defeated IBM’s Deep Blue.
In 1997, he lost a rematch – marking the first time a computer defeated a reigning World Champion in a match.
 
Retirement and Life After Chess
Retired from professional chess in 2005.
Became a political activist, strong critic of Vladimir Putin, and advocate for democracy in Russia.
Founded the Kasparov Chess Foundation, promoting chess education worldwide.
Author of several books on chess, politics, and human-machine interaction, including:

How Life Imitates Chess (2007)
Winter Is Coming (2015)
Deep Thinking (2017)
 
Interesting Facts
Speaks Russian, English, and several other languages.
Granted Croatian citizenship in 2014.
Continues to play occasional exhibition matches and speed chess events.
Remains a powerful voice in technology ethics, AI, and politics.
 
Legacy
Garry Kasparov left an indelible mark on chess:

He raised the level of preparation and professionalism in the game.
Inspired generations of grandmasters, including Magnus Carlsen, whom he later coached.
He’s remembered not only as a champion, but as a global symbol of intelligence, resistance, and leadership.