Garry Kasparov

(1963 - )

Garry Kimovich Kasparov (Weinstein) was born on April 13, 1963, in Baku, Azerbajan.

Kasparov, who is half-Jewish, began to play chess at the age of 6. He became an International Grand Master in1980, and an Honored Master of the Sport in 1985. Throughout this period, he became acclaimed as a result of the numerous prestigious matches and tournaments he won.

Kasparov was the 13th World Champion from 1985-1993. He became a President of the International Grand Master Association in 1986, and was awarded with the Red Banner of Labor decoration in 1987.

In 1993, he won the title of the World Champion among non-FIDE chess players.

As part of the USSR team, Kasparov took victories in Olympiads of 1980 (scoring 9.5 points out of 12), 1982 (8.5 out of 11), and 1986 (8.5 out of 11 - best results among all players). He was also a member of Russia's select team for the 1996 Olympiad (scoring 7 out of 9).

In the year 2000, he ceded his chess pedestal to the new twenty-five year old World Champion, Vladimir Kramnik, and today is publishing his systematic theories on questions of theory and practice in chess.

Several other chess masters have commented on his style of play. Petrosian called it "dynamic and effective." Tal said that "[Kasparov] possesses thorough skill of strategy and superb technique"; and Smyslov said of Kasparov that he was "...imaginative and logical... sees chess as a sport and an art-form." Botvinnik stated that "[he has] an unusual gift of formulating combinations, that compares him with Alekhin himself."

Sources: Jews in Sports