Astrological interpretation of why Kramnik is a more unfavourable opponent to Kasparov than vice ver

1. Introduction

Chess is a mind game where a positive end result is highly influenced by the choice of the best possible moves, which are based particularly on theoretical knowledge in chess, intuition, strategic and tactical competence, creativity and as good computational skills as possible. An important role in the game or in the battle for the chessboard is also played by the psychology of the relationship between players, particularly if they often meet in competitions and know each other’s style of play well. So, players often say things like “this opponent makes me uncomfortable” or “playing against this player comes naturally to me/his or her style fits me well”. Similar situations can be found in any sport, where two competitors or teams compete against each other and where the psychological part of the game is an important factor in the confrontation and has an important impact on the final result.

Such contemplation, providing we agree with it, raises a question of whether the unsuitability of an opponent can be predicted in advance on the basis of the information offered by astrology, which serves as a methodology where interpretations of personality traits result from the statistical observation of the relationships between planetary positions in specific signs of the zodiac and other astrological elements at the moment of birth of an entity (person, community, structure, etc.) and their behaviour. A specific branch of astrology called synastry¹ offers a more in depth interpretation of the relationship between two or more horoscopic structures, which may represent these selected entities. This will serve as the basis for our assertion given in the title above (namely: if and why Kramnik was a more unfavourable opponent to Kasparov than vice versa), and attempt to explain the astrological reasons for this assertion. So the starting point is that at a personality level Kramnik had a more negative influence on Kasparov than vice versa, so we could just as easily say that the former put the latter in a state of nervousness and personal tension earlier, easier and more intensively than the other way around.

2. Explanation of synastry principles

Synastry is a methodology which explains the influence of one astrological structure or planet on another, whereby the first and the second represent persons or entities independent at the time of their appearance. Influences are described and defined by aspects, which are formed by planets or their structures of the first natal (birth) chart to the second natal chart, where the first natal (birth) chart represents the birth of the first person or independent entity, and the second chart represents the birth of the second entity. A specific example is a study on transit influences, where the second entity is a current structure of planets in the sky and the first entity is the selected natal chart of a specific person. In such a case only the influence in the direction from the current structure of planets in the sky to the specific person is explained, whereas in the case of the typical example that synastry deals with mutual influence is explained.

3. Methodology and execution of the analysis of the Kramnik – Kasparov astrological relationship

General principles of the methodology of the astrological relationship Kramnik – Kasparov

Technical execution of the analysis of influences can be done in accordance with the following steps.

First, we perform an astrological analysis of aspectual structures (images 1 and 2 for the case of Kramnik^2,3 and Kasparov^4,5) of each individual person or entity and get to know the energies they bring. From there we can see what kind of energy profile each individual person or entity (ratios between tension/relaxation, ratios between activity/passiveness, ratios between physical/spiritual/intellectual, etc.) contributes to the joint relationship, and we get to know their advantages, weaknesses, talents, specific features, etc.

Image 1: Kramnik’s birth chart for the time of birth 12:00, because we don’t have the accurate hour of birth.

Image 2: Kasparov’s birth chart for the time of birth 12:00, because we don’t have the accurate hour of birth.

Then we draw birth charts of both observed persons or entities, whereby the planets of the first person are drawn on the inner part of the zodiac wheel, and the planets of the second person are given on the outer part of the same zodiac wheel (see image 3 for the case of the combined Kasparov’s (image 2) and Kramnik’s (image 1) natal chart).

Image 3: Synastry chart of relationship between Kramnik’s and Kasparov’s birth charts.

Aspects between planets of the inner and outer wheel are drawn in different colours within the zodiac wheel for reasons of clarity, and their interpretation is rather similar to basic interpretations used in personal horoscopes while taking into consideration certain specifics and differences. But usually the starting point is that one planet/planet structure of the first birth chart, which is in aspect with the planet/planet structure from the second birth chart, influences the latter harmonically or dynamically, dependent on the type of aspect. Most commonly, the influences of external (Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, etc.) planets in aspects with personal (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus) planets are primarily interpreted in the direction of personal planets and not in the direction of external (generational) planets. The same applies in the opposite direction.

If the time of birth is available for both persons, this information enables us to determine in which areas of life one person more intensively influences the other. As for our observed pair (Kramnik, Kasparov) we don’t have that information, we will only determine their energy interaction.

In the synastry chart in image 3 mutual aspects are given in the left square table below and also on the inner wheel of the synastry horoscope. Aspects are displayed with symbols, which in astrology present aspects.

 – represents the conjunction between planets, which means that the angle between them is 0 degrees of arc with the tolerance allowed

Ä – represents the trine between planets, which means that the angle between them is 120 degrees with the tolerance allowed

ӿ - represents the sextile between planets, which means that the angle between them is 60 degrees with the tolerance allowed

- - represents the square between planets, which means that the angle between them is 90 degrees with the tolerance allowed

- represents the opposition between planets, which means that the angle between them is 180 degrees with the tolerance allowed

Unfavourable or energy-loaded mutual aspects refer to aspects of predominantly (of course, personal planets are not fully excluded from analysis) outer planets (from Jupiter to Pluto) of one chart to personal planets (from Sun to Mars) of the other chart, in particular square, opposition and other dynamic harmonics. When such aspects occur, we can say that there is certainly a great deal of intensive energy interaction between persons, which is in accordance with the interpretation of the energy of this aspect, and it is interpreted particularly as the influence on the person whose personal planets are involved.

Peaceful or cooperatively-loaded mutual aspects refer to the same relations between groups of aspects, but the aspects in this case are harmonic and/or neutral (trine, sextile, conjunction and other positive harmonics). When such aspects occur, persons cooperate, get along well and are on the same/similar wavelength. However, it is also true that the level of energy relationship between persons is on a lower intensity than in the first case, and the process of comprehension of/getting to know the other person is slower, less energetic and perhaps less profound. It must be pointed out that in the interpretation of individual persons/entities some neutral conjunctions, such as Sun conjunction Mars or Saturn/Uranus/Neptune/Pluto, are in the case of synastry not neutral at all, but very unpleasant aspectual groups, which are particularly negatively felt in the direction of the Sun and its “owner”. More about that will be explained in the case of the analysis of the Kramnik/Kasparov relationship.

Tense aspect relations between individual entities within a group/sport’s team/community often tend to be very useful, because they create conditions for intensive mutual perception, encouragement and upgrading, so they are the impetus and motive force of a relationship. However, such aspectual relationships are constructive only if the energies we direct towards the relationship between the entities are not destructive in their intentions and objectives, and the participating entities consciously strive towards it⁶. This means they actively maintain the constructive relationship.

Otherwise, psychological destructive disturbance and personality-based disabling occurs.

Astrological analysis of the Kramnik – Kasparov relationship

Individual analysis of the horoscopes of Kramnik and Kasparov

Vladimir Kramnik

In a few words we will introduce the energy structures (see table 1) arising from the birth chart of Vladimir Kramnik, which he is supposed to possess according to astrological theory.

Vladimir Kramnik’s Sun sign is Cancer⁷. In his birth chart the Sun has some important aspects, which add a great amount of talent, fighting spirit and dynamics to his basic personality trait, which is softness, melancholy, tranquillity, non-aggressiveness, nurturing of family affiliation.

The most important aspects are Sun trine Uranus⁸ – originality, always on the search for something new, creative dynamics, lively reactions, ability to lead, talent, strong intuition, developed imagination, correct predictions; and Sun square Pluto – fierceness and distinct competitiveness.

The position of the Moon (in Capricorn) and some other planets (Jupiter and Mars in conjunction in Aries in square with Saturn in Cancer in opposition with Uranus in Libra) indicates that Kramnik can have Grand cross aspect (Grand Cross is said to occur when four planets are all separated from each other by Square aspects (90 degrees apart)) in his horoscope, depending on the time of birth or precise position of the Moon. But if he was born at the beginning of the day, the Moon in this Grand cross doesn’t act very intensively and the remaining structure is only a T-square (formed by the opposition between Mars and Jupiter on one side, and Uranus on the other, and in the square of all three with Saturn). In any case this is a very dynamic aspectual structure, which gives Kramnik’s personality an extraordinary source of tension and dynamics, both on the inside and on the outside, which we will also see later. In general, all dynamic aspects of Mars, Uranus and Saturn bring very strong energies and tensions, so anyone who is caught between the cogs of this drive must be prepared for extraordinary strains when face to face with this energy. In the majority of cases the result of this confrontation is destructive for the opponent, who must be very self-controlled, capable and disciplined in order to be able to channel this tension energy into a constructive result.

The final element (in terms of chess dimensions) is the position and aspects of Mercury. Kramnik’s Mercury is in Gemini (domicile), in two sextiles with Venus and Jupiter, which indicates that his thought process is harmonic and laminary, but still very fluid and agile. This element is also very important for Kramnik, because it makes it easier for him to internally control and channel tensions of the aforementioned cross aspect or T-square.

The conclusion of the description of Kramnik’s energies and personality would be: deep, within a soft being possesses a great amount of fierceness and tension, but in most cases he is capable of controlling and channelling it into positive creations. Wise and mentally strong.

Garry Kasparov

Personality-wise, Garry Kasparov is the complete opposite to Kramnik. As a typical representative of the astrological sign Aries, which slowly transcends into Taurus, personality-wise Garry is a strong, agile and feisty person, a pioneer, explorer and conqueror, who isn’t afraid of any challenge. He always moves along the edge of the blade. But the nature of his key aspects is such that they stabilize this primary Aries trait and give it new foundations in order to be able to fully realize his conquering impulse.

The first of these aspects is the sextile between the Sun and Saturn, which gives temperance, practicality, responsibility, restraint. A person with this aspect knows what he wants, is determined, careful in all affairs, achieves the leading position in his field of profession, relies on his work.

Another structure which is important in Kasparov’s horoscope is the position of Mercury and its aspects. Mercury is in Taurus and is in square with Mars in Leo and in trine with the conjunction of Uranus and Pluto in Virgo. The first aspect (square – dynamic) gives him the source of ideas and mental energy, which constantly forces Mercury into dynamics and activity; whereas both other trines are channels through which these dynamics are realized and structured. Trines of Mercury and external planets can simply be imagined as the channel through which final deliberations, assessments and conclusions are performed, which consequently makes them very useful in the birth charts of every single chess player. Similarly, only to a lesser extent, this applies to the sextiles of the same aspects.

The third structure, which is also important for the discussion (we will only discuss it because we don’t know the accurate hour of birth), is the aspects of the Moon. If Garry was born in the morning or early afternoon, then he has a very harmonic aspect in his horoscope – the Grand trine (formed by three planets, Moon, Mars and Jupiter, in fire signs), which provides him with agile and harmonic intuition, and additionally stabilizes the basic Aries flightiness. If he was born in the afternoon or during the night, he doesn’t possess the above aspects of the Moon, and there is only the aspect Moon sextile Saturn, which gives stability, determination and temperance.

The final summary of Kasparov’s basic energy would be: pioneer spirit, active and combative and supported by certain stable elements that turn a sometimes whimsical Aries into a very dangerous fighter, who in most cases successfully finishes what he started, which is a rare but a very desired feature in the world of Aries.

Relation analysis of the Kramnik – Kasparov relationship

As can be deduced from the description of primary personality traits of both chess players, they are each other’s complete opposite in terms of basic personality features. The soft Cancer in opposition with the aggressive Aries: the first has very dynamic secondary energies of other planets to the Sun or between planets, the second has predominantly very harmonic secondary energies of other planets to the Sun or the Moon, and both have a very capable mental level represented by Mercury.

But a detailed analysis will show who is more unfavourable and disturbing to whom. This will enable us to answer whether the dilemma in the title is true or not.

Aspects are presented so that we first state Kramnik’s planet and then Kasparov’s, after which we give a short explanation. We only provide the aspects which are important for the occurrence and relaxation of personal, mental and physical tension, but we will disregard the ones which clearly rely on the emotional side (though this doesn’t mean we wouldn’t include them in a more detailed analysis if we had the exact hour of birth).

There is only an emphasis on aspects which are tense/dynamic and are most important for the interpretation of who is more disagreeable to whom. At the same time, we shouldn’t forget that a relationship is made up of harmonic aspects, which tone down tense/dynamic aspects but don’t nullify them, they are just additionally present and form an additional spectre of energies(in astrology, contradictory aspects never negate each other; both are present and act simultaneously).

The blue colour refers to those tense/dynamic aspects which are personally perceivable effects (direction towards personal planets, such as Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, others planets is also called generational) directed from Kasparov to Kramnik’s personal planets (particularly Sun and Moon, which he feels the most), and the red colour refers to aspects directed from Kramnik to Kasparov’s personal planets. The black colour refers to aspects where it is hard to say that personally perceived direction is only one-sided. Interpretation of aspects is written in both directions.

First planet (Kramnik) – second planet (Kasparov)

Moon in Capricorn is in the square with the Sun in Aries.

Sun in Cancer is in sextile with Mercury in Taurus.

Sun in Cancer is in square with Jupiter in Aries.

Sun in Cancer is in sextile with Uranus in Virgo.

Mercury in Gemini is in opposition to the Moon in Sagittarius.

Mercury in Gemini is in trine with Saturn in Aquarius.

Mercury in Gemini is in square with Pluto in Virgo.

Mars in Aries is in conjunction with the Sun in Aries.

Mars in Aries is in sextile with Saturn in Aquarius.

Mars in Aries is in trine with Uranus in Virgo.

Jupiter in Aries is in conjunction with the Sun in Aries.

Jupiter in Aries is in sextile with Saturn in Aquarius.

Saturn in Cancer is in square with the Sun in Aries.

Saturn in Cancer is in trine with Neptune in Scorpio.

Uranus in Libra is in opposition with the Sun in Aries.

Uranus in Libra is in trine with Saturn in Aquarius.

Neptune in Sagittarius is in conjunction with the Moon in Sagittarius.

Neptune in Sagittarius is in trine with Mars in Leo.

Neptune in Sagittarius is in trine with Jupiter in Aries.

Pluto in Libra is in sextile with the Moon in Sagittarius.

Pluto in Libra is in sextile with Mars in Leo.

Pluto in Libra is in opposition with Jupiter in Aries.

Interpretations of tense/dynamic aspects^9,10 are explained in Table 1.

Table 1: Interpretation of tense/dynamic aspects between chess players Kramnik and Kasparov.

*It must be pointed out that the expression “wavering” is not meant as a derogatory term here, but is an expression which is specific for the description of the behaviour of a typical Cancer – two steps forward, one step back, as if he doesn’t know what he really wants, but which actually isn’t true, it is only his specific style. And Kasparov, as a typical representative of Aries, who actually respects only open confrontation and fight, finds such responsiveness particularly troublesome, because he regards it as a not particularly upright male action.

Discussion and conclusion

As can be seen from the performed analysis, the number of tense/dynamic aspects in the direction of Kasparov’s personal planets (particularly Sun) is higher, and they are more unpleasant as opposed to the opposite aspects in the direction of Kramnik. The latter’s Sun is “attacked” only by Jupiter, while Kasparov’s Sun is attacked by the full T-square or even cross (in the case that Kramnik was born after 12 noon) of Kramnik’s other planets. It is most difficult to transfer the negative influence of Saturn (braking, blockage, perceived as complete restriction; in Kasparov’s case Saturn is pushed and limited by the Sun from behind in the direction of progression and in the direction of opposition Mars/Uranus) and the conjunction/opposition Mars/Uranus. The person whose Sun is attacked by the other person’s Uranus perceives it as constant and very unpleasant irritation, as though he was receiving electric shocks or holding an electric fence controller, if we use a graphic term. But if Mars is included in that structure, which is here in conjunction with Kasparov’s Sun, then the tense/dynamic aspectual planet structure Kasparov was confronted with is much more unfavourable and more challenging than the one Kramnik was confronted with.

The pressure of Kasparov on Kramnik, in addition to the negative influence of Jupiter on the natal Sun, goes in the direction of his mental process (influence on Mercury), where the latter perceived it as a constantly present demand for more challenging mental efforts than Kramnik would be able to produce. His Mercury in Gemini is an agile, dynamic and powerful calculating machine, but which is not very analytical as Mercury in Virgo would be. And this is exactly what the influence of Kasparov’s Pluto in Virgo demanded.

Furthermore, the fact that Kramnik and Kasparov had a fairly equivalent result on official games suggests the extraordinary personality and presence of Kasparov, so that he was capable of neutralizing the tensions (of the astrologically psychological source) he was exposed to. But this certainly doesn’t mean that the talent and quality of Kramnik, from the above interpretation, is any less formidable.

The final conclusion is that Kramnik was a more unfavourable player for Kasparov (we are only assessing the astrologically psychological aspect) due to astrologically unfavourable aspects of the birth chart of the former to personal planets (particularly Sun) of the other than vice versa. In accordance with the synastry theory, in reality tense/dynamic aspectual relations are manifested as psychological pressure between persons/entities, which are in mutual relationships.

Literature

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_compatibility

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Kramnik

3. http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=12295

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasparov

5. http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=15940

6. Astrologija veda o značaju in usodi, V. Gerkman, AURA (Ljubljana), 1991, stran 325

7. Velika šola astrologije, J. In D. Parker, Slovenjska knjiga, 1993

8. Astrologija in šah, M. Ružič, Šahovska misel, 7-8, 2013

9. R. Davison, Synastry, Understanding Human Relations Through Astrology, 1983

10. http://www.cafeastrology.com/synastry/interchartaspects.html