Russian chess great Kasparov says he doesn’t regret leaving game for politics

Chess great Kasparov doesn’t regret leaving game

NEW YORK — Russian chess luminary Garry Kasparov (kas-PAR’-ahf) says he doesn’t regret trading the game for politics.

The former world champion told The Associated Press in New York on Monday he did what he believed was right for his country.

Kasparov is considered by some to have been the best player in chess history. He retired from top-level professional play in 2005 to become a political activist. He’s a vocal critic of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (POO’-tihn) and the leader of an opposition group called the United Civil Front in Russia.

Kasparov spoke at a fundraiser for his former opponent Anatoly Karpov, who’s running for president of the World Chess Federation.

About 25 years ago the two played a famous title bout that lasted five months and eventually was halted on grounds both were exhausted.