Explore the brilliance of Garry Kasparov, one of the greatest chess minds in history. Study his attacks, opening novelties, and strategic victories through annotated videos and course connections.
This highlight reel dives into Garry Kasparov’s most explosive sacrifices — thrilling, instructive, and jaw-dropping even for grandmasters. See why his games top countless 'best of' lists in chess history.
Garry Kimovich Kasparov was born on April 13, 1963, in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union. Rising quickly through the Soviet chess ranks, Kasparov became a grandmaster at just 17 years old. His early promise and fierce competitive spirit set the stage for a legendary career in chess history.
Kasparov became the youngest ever World Chess Champion in 1985 at age 22 by defeating then-champion Anatoly Karpov. His reign lasted until 2000, during which he successfully defended his title multiple times and revolutionized opening preparation and chess strategy.
100 Fun Facts & Trivia About Garry Kasparov
1. Garry Kasparov was born on April 13, 1963, in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR.
He is of Armenian and Jewish descent.
2. Kasparov became the youngest World Chess Champion in history at age 22 in 1985.
He broke the previous record held by Mikhail Tal.
3. Kasparov held the World Chess Championship title from 1985 to 2000.
His 15-year reign is one of the longest in modern chess history.
4. He was ranked world No. 1 continuously from 1986 until his retirement in 2005.
His peak rating was 2851, achieved in 1999, which was a record for many years.
5. Kasparov’s peak Elo rating of 2851 stood as the highest for over 13 years.
Magnus Carlsen surpassed it only in 2013.
6. He defeated Anatoly Karpov in one of the greatest rivalries in chess history.
They faced each other in five World Championship matches between 1984 and 1990.
7. The 1984 World Championship match against Karpov was controversially halted after 48 games.
FIDE stopped the match due to the players’ exhaustion and psychological strain.
8. Kasparov is known for his aggressive and dynamic playing style.
He often launched powerful attacks and sacrifices, especially in the Sicilian Najdorf and King's Indian Defence.
9. Kasparov was a pioneer in using computers and teams of seconds for opening preparation.
This changed how professional chess was prepared and played.
10. He founded the Professional Chess Association (PCA) in 1993.
This led to a split in the World Chess Championship title between PCA and FIDE for over a decade.
11. Kasparov’s 1997 match against IBM’s Deep Blue was a landmark in man vs. machine chess.
He lost the match, marking the first time a computer defeated a reigning World Champion in a match.
12. He successfully defended his title against Deep Blue in a 1996 match.
Kasparov won 4–2 with one loss to the computer.
13. Kasparov retired from professional chess in 2005.
He cited a lack of motivation and the desire to focus on politics and writing.
14. After retiring, Kasparov became an outspoken political activist in Russia.
He opposed Vladimir Putin’s government and advocated for democracy and human rights.
15. Kasparov ran for Russian parliament in 2007 but was barred from running.
This sparked international criticism about Russia’s political climate.
16. He has written several bestselling chess books.
Notable works include the “My Great Predecessors” series and “How Life Imitates Chess.”
17. Kasparov is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time.
His contributions to opening theory, psychology, and match play are legendary.
18. Kasparov was coached by former World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik during his youth.
Botvinnik is often called the “Patriarch of Soviet Chess School.”
19. Kasparov defeated many World Champions during his career, including Karpov, Anand, and Kramnik.
He was known for dominating top-level competition.
20. His 1985 title victory against Karpov ended Karpov’s reign that began in 1975.
This was a symbolic shift from the Soviet era to a new chess generation.
21. Kasparov has a deep interest in artificial intelligence beyond chess.
He has spoken extensively on AI’s implications for society and technology.
22. He created the Kasparov Chess Foundation in 2002.
The foundation promotes chess education worldwide, especially for children.
23. Kasparov’s style combined deep calculation with psychological warfare.
He was famous for intense pre-match preparation and psychological pressure on opponents.
24. He played a total of 255 classical games against Anatoly Karpov.
This rivalry is one of the longest and most intense in chess history.
25. Kasparov holds the record for most consecutive months ranked No. 1 (255 months).
This is unmatched in chess history.
26. His total tournament wins number over 50.
Kasparov was a consistently top-performing competitor in international chess events.
27. Kasparov was famous for introducing novelties in the Sicilian Defence, especially the Najdorf variation.
He revolutionized this opening with his deep preparation and aggressive lines.
28. He is known for his fierce rivalry with Vladimir Kramnik, who eventually defeated him in 2000.
Kramnik ended Kasparov’s 15-year reign as World Champion without losing a single game in their match.
29. Kasparov once defeated a computer in a simultaneous exhibition by playing blindfolded.
This showcased his extraordinary memory and visualization skills.
30. Kasparov's father was Jewish and his mother was Armenian, reflecting a diverse cultural background.
This contributed to Kasparov's broad worldview.
31. Kasparov learned chess at age 6 from his father.
He quickly showed prodigious talent, winning junior championships by age 10.
32. He was the youngest ever Soviet Chess Champion at age 17.
This achievement brought him early national attention.
33. Kasparov’s rivalry with Karpov is sometimes called “Kasparov-Karpov Wars.”
They played five World Championship matches and many other high-stakes encounters.
34. He was known for his extraordinary memory and ability to recall thousands of chess positions.
This gave him an edge in preparation and calculation.
35. Kasparov played a famous game dubbed the “Immortal Game of the 20th century” against Topalov in 1999.
This game is celebrated for its brilliant sacrifices and tactical complexity.
36. Kasparov was named “Sportsman of the Year” by the BBC in 1985.
This was rare for a chess player and reflected his global prominence.
37. He has been involved in multiple chess software projects, including endorsements and training tools.
Kasparov helped popularize chess computers and AI tools.
38. Kasparov made multiple comeback attempts, including playing top-level chess in 2003.
Though he never regained the world title, he remained competitive.
39. He played an exhibition match against the IBM supercomputer “Deep Thought” in 1989.
Kasparov won decisively, foreshadowing future man-machine contests.
40. Kasparov's approach combined classical and hypermodern chess ideas.
He blended traditional positional concepts with dynamic, sometimes risky innovations.
41. Kasparov is fluent in Russian and English.
He has given numerous lectures and interviews worldwide.
42. He was known to prepare for matches with extensive physical fitness routines.
Kasparov understood the importance of stamina for long games.
43. Kasparov held the No. 1 ranking uninterrupted for over 20 years.
This dominance is unmatched in chess history.
44. He played in some of the highest-rated games ever recorded.
Kasparov consistently competed at peak rating levels against elite opponents.
45. Kasparov is the author of the famous “Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov” series.
This set of autobiographical chess books covers his career in detail.
46. He used psychological tactics such as press conferences and interviews to unsettle opponents.
This “off-board” game was part of his competitive arsenal.
47. Kasparov’s influence helped chess grow globally in the 1980s and 1990s.
He popularized the game in new markets like the USA and China.
48. He was the first chess player to receive sponsorship deals comparable to athletes in other sports.
This commercial success helped professionalize chess careers.
49. Kasparov’s games are among the most studied in chess literature.
His strategic and tactical ideas are taught worldwide.
50. Kasparov's farewell match was against Kramnik in 2005.
It marked the end of his professional chess career.
51. Kasparov's chess career includes over 250 tournament victories.
He was a dominant force on the international circuit for more than two decades.
52. Kasparov played a famous blitz match against Anatoly Karpov in 2009 for charity.
This was their first official game encounter after Kasparov’s retirement.
53. He was involved in a highly publicized rivalry with Nigel Short in the early 1990s.
Their rivalry included the 1993 PCA World Championship match.
54. Kasparov often used the Grünfeld Defence when playing with the black pieces.
This hypermodern opening suited his dynamic style.
55. He is known for popularizing the King's Indian Defence and Sicilian Najdorf at the highest level.
Many of his opening innovations remain standard theory today.
56. Kasparov was the first World Champion to extensively use seconds — teams of assistants for opening preparation.
This teamwork model is now standard in professional chess.
57. His 1999 game against Veselin Topalov, known as the “Immortal Game of the 20th Century,” is studied worldwide.
This game features stunning sacrifices and tactical brilliance.
58. Kasparov's rivalry with Karpov is considered one of the greatest sports rivalries of the 20th century.
It featured political, psychological, and chess drama on and off the board.
59. Kasparov wrote a chess column for The Wall Street Journal after retiring.
He shared insights and analysis with a broad audience.
60. Kasparov has been an advocate for educational chess programs worldwide.
He believes chess improves critical thinking and academic skills in children.
61. He was the subject of the documentary film “Kasparov and the Machine” about his matches against Deep Blue.
The film highlights man vs. machine conflict in the 1990s.
62. Kasparov famously said, “Chess is life in miniature.”
This quote reflects his philosophical approach to the game.
63. Kasparov has participated in simultaneous exhibitions playing against dozens of opponents at once.
He often won these exhibitions with ease.
64. He has advocated for stronger anti-cheating measures in chess competitions.
Kasparov warns that technology makes cheating easier without strict controls.
65. Kasparov’s political activism led to multiple arrests and detentions in Russia.
He has been a vocal critic of authoritarianism.
66. Kasparov's parents were intellectuals; his father was a physicist and his mother a pianist.
This intellectual environment nurtured his early development.
67. Kasparov was involved in a 2005 blitz tournament where he defeated Magnus Carlsen in their first official encounter.
Carlsen was just 14 years old at the time.
68. He played against Bobby Fischer in a series of rapid games in the 1990s, though these were not official matches.
This was a rare opportunity to see two world champions face off outside official events.
69. Kasparov’s first name is spelled “Garry” with two r’s, a transliteration from Russian.
Some English media mistakenly spell it “Gary.”
70. Kasparov is also a chess historian, contributing research on the evolution of chess theory.
His writings explore the development of chess over centuries.
71. Kasparov’s matches with Karpov were affected by Cold War politics.
The USSR heavily promoted chess as a symbol of intellectual superiority.
72. Kasparov was awarded the Chess Oscar (best player of the year) 11 times.
This is a record for any chess player.
73. He frequently played the English Opening with White to surprise opponents.
His flexibility with openings was a key strength.
74. Kasparov advocated for online chess and helped popularize it through streaming and exhibitions.
He embraces modern platforms to promote chess.
75. Kasparov's rivalry with Kramnik ended in a match in 2000, where Kramnik won without losing a single game.
This was a major upset and marked the end of Kasparov’s World Champion reign.
76. He has been involved in human rights campaigns beyond chess, including speaking at the United Nations.
Kasparov promotes democracy and freedom globally.
77. Kasparov’s chess legacy is preserved in the Kasparov Chess Foundation’s extensive educational programs.
The foundation operates internationally promoting chess in schools.
78. Kasparov wrote the foreword for Magnus Carlsen’s book “Move by Move.”
This shows respect for the new generation of chess talent.
79. Kasparov is a frequent speaker at technology conferences about AI and chess.
He draws parallels between chess and computing.
80. Kasparov’s match preparations included psychological profiling of opponents.
He tailored strategies to exploit opponents’ weaknesses both on and off the board.
81. Kasparov has been honored with multiple awards for his sporting achievements.
Including induction into the World Chess Hall of Fame.
82. He has authored political books, including “Winter is Coming,” criticizing Russian authoritarianism.
His activism has made him a controversial figure in Russia.
83. Kasparov was a vocal critic of the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia.
He has called for international sanctions and democracy support.
84. Kasparov has played in numerous charity chess events worldwide.
He supports causes including education and human rights.
85. Kasparov's extensive use of computers in preparation was criticized by some traditionalists early on.
Today, computer preparation is universal at the top level.
86. Kasparov often engaged with chess fans via social media and blogs.
He shares insights, commentary, and personal reflections.
87. Kasparov’s nickname is “The Beast of Baku.”
It reflects his aggressive and relentless style of play.
88. He was a grandmaster at just 17 years old.
This made him one of the youngest grandmasters of his time.
89. Kasparov played in the legendary Linares chess tournament multiple times, often winning or placing highly.
Linares was called the “Wimbledon of Chess.”
90. Kasparov’s 1985 match with Karpov was his first World Championship win after a hard-fought struggle.
He won 13–11, ending Karpov’s decade-long reign.
91. Kasparov was known for his precise calculation and fearlessness in complex positions.
This made him one of the most feared tacticians in history.
92. He has a degree in history from the State University of Leningrad.
Kasparov’s interest in history influences his strategic thinking.
93. Kasparov’s wife, Daria, is a public figure and social activist.
They share a commitment to human rights causes.
94. He was the first chess player to be featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1984.
This brought unprecedented mainstream attention to chess.
95. Kasparov was instrumental in popularizing chess in the former Soviet republics after the USSR’s collapse.
He helped establish programs in newly independent countries.
96. Kasparov has been honored by multiple governments for his sportsmanship and activism.
He received awards in the US, Europe, and elsewhere.
97. Kasparov often collaborated with leading chess analysts and authors.
This includes co-authoring books and contributing to chess literature.
98. He played a historic rapid chess match against Anatoly Karpov in 2012, marking their long-lasting rivalry.
The event was highly celebrated among chess fans worldwide.
99. Kasparov has coached and mentored young chess talents after retirement.
His guidance has influenced many rising grandmasters.
100. Kasparov’s influence extends beyond chess to politics, technology, and culture.
He remains a global ambassador for the power of the mind and freedom of expression.
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