Gary sees no point to stay in big sport, assumes Alexander Roshal, Merited Trainer of Russia and editor-in-chief of "64", known chess magazine.
"He announced his decision only now, but he made it long ago. Kasparov had traveled a long way to it. He was demanding to meet in a championship with Vladimir Kramnik, and was determined to win the chess crown again, and leave unvanquished. The many organizational problems and procrastinations forced him to give it up. He saw he would not have a match with Kramnik in the near future. Gary will celebrate his 42nd birthday in a month. It's hard to keep fit in his age unless there are big ambitions to make one tick," Mr. Roshal said to Novosti.
Kasparov has been the world's Number One for many years. In fact, he never encounters a worthy rival in any contest. To win back the crown he lost to Kramnik, 2000, could be his only motive to stay in the chess community, reasons our interviewee.
"To meet him again is the last thing Kramnik wants now. Kasparov realizes it, so he has no point to stay on-he has made an amazing carrier, as it is. Gary won more than forty super tournaments, and there is no player in the world today to challenge him. That's why he is going."
Kasparov is giving up only his professional chess career, but will certainly play. "Now, he will no longer need to sweat it out in Linares-he will meet several players simultaneously, and make the same money in four such matches as a tournament victory would offer him. He will go on reading lectures, and work on his book, 'My Glorious Forerunners'," forecasts Mr. Roshal.
As for Kasparov's own plans, he will make chess his hobby to concentrate on active politics. He leads the Committee 2008, also known as Anti-Putin-a public league that is working for "an aboveboard and transparent" presidential election in Russia, 2008.
