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Jul 20 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
The biggest news at the 2022 SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia was made off the board, with world champion Magnus Carlsen confirming he would not defend his title next year. (He's not retiring, just not playing the WCh match.) #GrandChessTour
As you might guess, as someone who fought for decades to reform and improve FIDE and the chess world, and who retired still #1 at age 41 in 2005, I have some thoughts.
My first thought was that I wished my mother were still alive to see someone else do what I did, or similar! Walking away from what everyone expects, or demands, you do takes courage. My sympathies are with Magnus.
Of course Magnus will still be playing--he's playing right now in Zagreb. But he's doing what he decided is best for his goals, not just personally to live his creative life, but to promote chess without fighting with FIDE guys about how he spends his time.
I'm not a shrink or mind-reader, just sympathetic to even a world champion needing change, and wanting to see change in the chess world. And it needs it. FIDE has been a direct & indirect vehicle for Russian intelligence for decades and looks to continue as long as it's useful.
I'm still working to develop & promote chess globally via sponsorship, education, and technology, and I'm sure Magnus will too. Does anyone believe that's what FIDE does? As I finally accepted in 2014 after I ran for FIDE president, its structure puts it beyond redemption.
Magnus has been a great champion and will continue to be one. Perhaps there was no way to reconcile his need for creative expression and the classical match format I myself favor. So be it. On to new challenges and more great chess instead of politics! grandchesstour.org/2022-grand-che…
Staying on top is harder than getting to the top because you are competing against the feeling you have achieved your life's goal already. Staying motivated after climbing the chess Olympus is like climbing Mount Everest a second time, or a sixth. Humans need purpose.

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More from @Kasparov63

Garry Kasparov Profile picture
Jul 14
For all the defeatists from Berlin to Washington, look at the bodies of innocents in Ukraine every day and talk more about worries of “escalation.” They have the weapons to reach Sevastopol and stop this, but they refuse to provide or allow others to. cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-n…
Meanwhile Russian rhetoric is gets more violent and extreme every day. It’s about “retaking territory” and cleansing the land so it’s fit for “civilized people.” Putin is lobbing missiles into cities every day and Western leaders are still quivering about escalation.
Canada & Germany displaying a perverse “fair play” attitude, helping fund Putin’s war machine. You cannot separate business, energy, food, and war—because Putin doesn’t. It’s all power to him. Sending a gas turbine is like sending him bombs. thestar.com/opinion/contri…
Read 4 tweets
Garry Kasparov Profile picture
Jul 4
The greatest strength of America has always been its ability, and willingness, to adapt and improve. To embrace new ideas, new people, and to move always forward from an imperfect past toward a better future. That spirit is at risk today.
The rise of anti-democratic demagogues and religious extremists has reached a tipping point of actual power. A backlash is required, but will also empower others who have no love of justice or democracy, despite their rhetoric. A dangerous time.
The US has changed rapidly in the nearly 10 years since I was forced to leave Russia. There is no dictator here, not yet, but many little dictatorships of the mind and soul are rising. Zealotry, hatred. Leaders will follow, the law will follow. It can happen here.
Read 7 tweets
Garry Kasparov Profile picture
Jun 30
Sanctions are a vital long-term part of winning the war in Ukraine by weakening Putin’s war machine and his support in Russia. Putin had been preparing for years, but expected a quick victory and the usual weak response.
Putin could have ended this war at any moment in the past 8 years by leaving Ukrainian territory. Instead, he invaded further, is bombarding civilians and committing war crimes on an industrial scale. More weapons, more sanctions, until Ukraine is whole and free.
As for “peace,” recall one of Thomas Mann’s March 1941 BBC radio messages to Germans, warning there could never be real peace under Hitler, win or lose. For England, Hitler, and Germany simply substitute Ukraine, Putin, and Russia. avezink.livejournal.com/376950.html
Read 4 tweets
Garry Kasparov Profile picture
Jun 29
I often speak & write on the intersection of tech, AI, security, and rights, but this week at the European Parliament I was obliged to speak instead on Ukraine and about the need for EU firepower, not firewalls. My thanks to @EvaMaydell & @ManfredWeber for hosting. Image
The expected tsunami of Russian cyberattacks has not materialized because Ukraine and the rest of the world stopped playing defense and has taken the attack to Putin. Similarly, Russia’s military attacks will decrease when Putin’s war machine is on the run.
“The best defense is a good offense” is not only true in chess. Act decisively or Putin will ignore you. Dictators don’t care about next year as long as they are in power tomorrow. You are defending lives and your way of life. This is war. Act like it. Act with urgency.
Read 4 tweets
Garry Kasparov Profile picture
Jun 25
Although I cannot vote in the US, my family and two American children have been here for many years. I founded @Renew_Democracy in the US in 2017 because it was clear that threats to liberty & democracy weren't only coming from dictatorships, but from "inside the house".
I usually reserve my thoughts on US domestic affairs to promoting justice and the rule of law and the values that sustain them. It's clearer today than in 2017 that these values are under attack. It is a dangerous time for the US & the world it still leads.
Despite the selection of the moderate Biden in the Dem primary & general election, US extremists continue to gain ground, empowering the radicals on the other side in a vicious cycle with each success.
Read 10 tweets
Garry Kasparov Profile picture
Jun 23
The latest language used by the Biden admin about US support for Ukraine does not reassure me. If you want Ukraine to win the war, say it. Commit publicly instead of sounding like you want to be able to say winning was never the goal if you choose to pull back.
It wasn’t long ago that senior US officials were clearer, about Ukraine winning and Putin losing. Things have gotten increasingly vague, and clarity from the top would focus the energy of everyone in the US and the rest of NATO. “Ukraine must win, do everything now.”
They talk about mitigating the effects of Putin’s invasion, from energy prices to refugees. That’s fine, but by far the best solution to all these problems is to win the war as quickly as possible by giving Ukraine every weapon it needs to destroy Putin’s army. Go to the source.
Read 6 tweets

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