New Delhi:
Russian chess great Garry Kasparov hoped his 'joke' on Indian politics does not pass for 'advocacy or expertise' after his social media post about Congressman Rahul Gandhi's love for the game went viral.
Within hours of asking Rahul Gandhi to “win Rae Bareli first before challenging for the summit”, the 61-year-old said it was just a joke and should be seen as a joke.
“I really hope my joke doesn't pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But like an 'all-seeing monster with a thousand eyes', as I was once described, I can't help but see a politician concerned with my beloved game!” writes the former world champion, who retired in 2005, in response to a message from actor Ranvir Shorey.
Ranvir Shorey's comment appeared to be a criticism of Rahul Gandhi's recent claim that he was the best chess player among all Indian politicians. Mr. Kasparov gave the same response to a few other accounts that commented on his original post.
I sincerely hope my joke doesn't pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But like an 'all-seeing monster with a thousand eyes', as I was once described, I can't help but see a politician dabbling in my beloved game! https://t.co/MlBnR4PeZ6
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) May 3, 2024
The Congress recently shared a video of Rahul Gandhi playing chess on his mobile phone while heading for the Lok Sabha election campaign. The MP from Wayanad called Kasparov his favorite chess player and drew parallels between the game and politics.
A user on Mr. Kasparov, rather unusually, originally responded to that message.
“Tradition (sic) dictates that you must first win against Raebareli before fighting for the top,” wrote the fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is stationed in Croatia after fleeing his country.
Rahul Gandhi called Kasparov his favorite chess player but described him in the conference video as a 'non-linear thinker'.
“…once you get a little better at it, the opponent's pieces actually work almost like yours,” he said, drawing a comparison between chess and politics.
He filed his nomination on Friday from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and is also contesting from Wayanad.
Mr Kasparov was world number one for a record 255 weeks. He became the youngest ever undisputed world champion in 1985 at the age of 22 and is now a political activist.
The iconic player is a contemporary of Indian great Viswanathan Anand.
Recently, when 17-year-old D Gukesh improved his record as the youngest world title challenger by winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto, Mr Kasparov had posted a congratulatory post on
He described Gukesh as “the Indian Toronto earthquake”.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)