Garry Kasparov, the famous world champion of chess, is making headlines recently in connection with Indian politics. His comment on X has gone viral – where he is taking dig at Rahul Gandhi for being called the ‘experienced player of chess’ and comparing politics with chess.
Garry Kasparov’s viral tweet on Rahul Gandhi
The whole controversy started when Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted a long tweet on X after the announcement and nomination of Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli.
“Remember, he is an experienced player of politics and chess. The party leadership takes its decisions after much discussion, and as part of a larger strategy. This single decision has befuddled the BJP,” he said while praising Gandhi.
While there were some positive as well as negative responses from the netizens, one of the users on X commented saying that “he felt so relieved that @Kasparov63 ie. Garry Kasparov and @vishy64theking ie. Vishwanathan Anand retired early and didn’t have to face the greatest chess genius of our times” – in a mocking tone.
Feel so relieved that @Kasparov63 and @vishy64theking retired early and didn’t have to face the greatest chess genius of our times. #RandomThoughts
— GhoseSpot (@SandipGhose) May 3, 2024
Garry responded to this post and commented: “Traditional dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top!”
I very much hope my little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But as an "all-seeing monster with 1000 eyes," as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game!
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) May 3, 2024
However he later clarified about his tweet by referring to it as a “little joke” and hoping that his “little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics!” He also added, “But as an “all-seeing monster with 1000 eyes,” as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game!”
Facing “little joke from his favorite player
This was not all about chess and its connection with Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi also posted a video on Instagram recently where he was seen playing chess on his phone. In the video, he reveals that Garry Kasparov is his favourite chess player as he puts a lot of “psychological pressure” and he’s a “non-linear thinker.” He also proclaimed himself as the best chess player among the Indian politicians. When asked about the similarities between politics and chess, he replied, “In chess, the idea is to make sure that you’re controlling the centre, and you can apply pressure on the centre from the sides in different ways. But if you don’t understand the centre, and you don’t have a view, you cannot make that properly.”
“In the same way, if you don’t have a clear idea of what you’re trying to do in politics, you don’t understand the centre, it means you won’t be able to operate,” he added.
Kasparov vs Gandhi
Garry Kasparov is a world chess champion, Russian pro-democracy leader, global human-rights activist, business speaker and author. He was the youngest chess champion in the world born in the Soviet Union (now Russia).
Garry’s comments came shortly after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Raebareli on Friday after a lot of suspense from the Congress party. Raebareli is one of the most important constituencies in the history of the Congress party. Feroze Gandhi, the husband of former prime minister Indira Gandhi won the seat for the first time in 1952 and 1957. Later, Indira Gandhi represented Raebareli for ten years and the heritage was later carried on by Sonia Gandhi and other congress members respectively over the period of time.
Rahul Gandhi is also contesting elections from Wayanad constituency in Kerala, a seat which he had won in 2019 elections. If he wins from both the seats in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, then he will have to drop one seat.
Rahul Gandhi is a three time Member of Parliament from Amethi, a seat which he lost in 2019 to BJP leader Smriti Irani. This time Congress party loyalist Kirori Lal Sharma will fight from Amethi. Both Amethi and Raebareli voting is scheduled on 20th May in the fifth phase of elections.
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