Posted on 03/10/2005 7:04:08 PM PST by HAL9000
MADRID (Reuters) - Former world champion Garry Kasparov has announced his retirement from competition chess, according to Spanish media reports.Kasparov, 41, announced his decision after winning a prestigious tournament in the southern Spanish town of Linares for the ninth time on Thursday, state radio said.
Kasparov, a leading member of a Russian liberal grouping known as Committee 2008, plans to devote himself to politics and to writing books, the radio said.
Tournament organisers could not immediately be reached to confirm the reports.
"I will play chess, because I like it a lot, but not professionally. I may play in simultaneous games or fast games, but nothing more," Spanish sports Web site Marca quoted Kasparov as saying.
It quoted him as saying that he took the decision because of the enormous pressure he had been under in recent years.
Bulgarian Veselin Topalov beat Kasparov in Thursday's final round at Linares but Kasparov had already assured himself of victory in the tournament.
At the age of 22, Azerbaijan-born Kasparov became the youngest world champion in chess history.
He lost his world title in 2000 to Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik, but is still ranked number one by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
FIDE announced recently that it planned to hold an eight-player tournament in October to reunify conflicting world titles, according to press reports. Kasparov was among the players who would have been invited to take part.
As the #1 ranked player in the world GK would have a good chance of winning in this tourney, and thus regain the (undisputed) world championship before his retirement. ....and I'd have liked to have seen him do it.
Gary Kasparov with his buddy, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Definitely a shocking move by Kasparov. I hope it wasn't caused by loss to Topalov yesterday.
Perhaps he'll pull a Jordan and return.
Politics?
Kasparov v. Putin?
Intriguing...
It should read "Kasparov retires from competition" or "Kasparov retires from competitive chess."
......Bishop takes Queen. Knight takes Bishop. Mate.
Ah...Yeah, looks like you're right. I resign.
That coward just fears my m4d chess skillz. Run away, Garry, run away - we both know I woulda waxed you like cheap linoleum...
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