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Chess Grandmaster Kasparov Versus President Putin

Posted by kdawson on from the winning-combination dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Times of London has an article on how Garry Kasparov, former world chess champion, is using his fame and intellect in an attempt to defeat President Putin at the presidential elections in March 2008. Kasparov believes that Putin is virtually a dictator who is dismantling democracy and returning Russia to an authoritarian regime. Some high-profile Putin critics, such as Alexander Litvinenko, have been the victims of unsolved murders, and Kasparov is aware of the dangers: 'I can calculate the possibilities as a chess player and I have to be honest and say that our chances are not high. But I take this as a moral duty, and when you do something out of moral duty, then who cares?'" From the article: "[Kasparov] will not be a contender for the presidency but [his political umbrella group] The Other Russia aims to create the conditions under which an anti-Putin candidate can win. It appears, however, to be an uneven contest against a man who enjoys 80 per cent approval ratings. Most Russians want Mr. Putin to overturn a constitutional bar on a third term in office. Many will back whomever Mr. Putin endorses to succeed him."

8 of 416 comments (clear)

  1. Dear Kasparov by neuro.slug · · Score: 5, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, Putin checkmates you!

  2. Slippery slope by bigdavex · · Score: 5, Funny

    If he wins, Deep Blue will run in the next election.

    --
    -Dave
    1. Re:Slippery slope by jaakkeli · · Score: 4, Funny

      The world will be in big trouble if Russian nukes are controlled by the greatest chess genius ever while American nukes are controlled by George Bush.

      There's only one solution: the Americans should get the most advanced artificial intelligence system ever built and let it take complete control over their nuclear arsenal.

  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  4. Will Kasparov see this coming? by staticdaze · · Score: 5, Funny

    Kasparov vs Putin

    1. f3 e5
    2. g4

    Putin to move

  5. Re:Good luck! by TastyCakes · · Score: 5, Funny

    I love the wandering line of thought of some slashdot responses. Chess player runs for president of Russia ... Fucking Chinese!

  6. Re:melodrama by TheSuperlative · · Score: 5, Funny

    Actually, it's spelled with an entirely different alphabet.

    --
    "In God we trust, all others we monitor." -- Unofficial NSA motto
  7. Re:melodrama by nacturation · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm pretty sure the KGB isn't reading Slashdot, since it ceased to exist in 1991. So then what the hell site are we posting these comments on?
    --
    Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.