Gary Kasparov Still Loves Chess: The Kasparov Chess Foundation

Did you know that World Chess Champion Gary Kasparov, born April 13, 1963¹, retired in 2005 to become a writer and become heavily involved in Russian politics¹ ? Did you know Kasparov has also created a non-profit foundation to bring Chess to children in kindergarten through twelfth grade across the U.S.A.²?

If his own country wasn't so threatened by his love of democracy, I'm sure he would start a similar foundation in Russia. In 2007 he ran against Vladimir Putin's Communist Party under the United Civil Front, a democratic political organization he created two years prior¹. He was forced to drop out of the race on a technicality created by Putin's government that prevented him from renting a meeting hall where his supporters could gather and officially endorse his candidacy¹. Despite this setback and constant threats against his life, he has remained an outspoken opponent of Putin and the Russian government. Perhaps his world renowned celebrity is what keeps him safe. Thank goodness for the world!

Kasparov believes that the game of Chess "encourages creativity, instills self-discipline and offers hope and a feeling of accomplishment". He believes with all of his heart that theses are needed skills if children are to survive and thrive in today's world.

The Kasparov Chess Foundation's curriculums are designed by teams of educators and chess masters. There are after school programs, training programs for teachers, and award programs. Kasparov himself is heavily involved in the award ceremonies. It is his way of playing an active, ongoing role in the Foundation's efforts. There are tournaments, including the All-girls National Chess Championship and the Greater NY Scholastic Tournament ².

The game of Chess may be the oldest board game on the planet Earth. It is a game of war strategy. It is believed to have been played in China as early as 200 B.C. The first written record of the game is believed to be from the Persian Empire in approximately 600 B.C³. In India, Chess pieces included elephants and chariots⁴.

Chess swept the European continent in medieval times and it is the renditions of medieval peoples that are most recognized in the Chess pieces of today. The game was considered the sport of Kings and often matches would take place on life size chess boards using real people as the pieces in royal courts⁵. (Remember Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass? Alice met up with more than one life size Chess piece, including a Queen who wanted her head cut off!)

If you want to give your brain a good, Kasparov workout, try your hand at playing chess against others on the web, you can try chessmaniac.com or chess.com. You can play chess against others on these sites for free! Or if you prefer to brush up on your skills alone prior to playing someone else, you can play chess against the computer for free at: chess.math.com.

In April of 2009, Gary Kasparov was the key note speaker at the Chess Supernationals in Nashville, Tennessee, sponsored by the Kasparov Foundation and the United States Chess Federation². He is a modest, charismatic role model and many of his adoring fans were not disappointed! It is wonderful to see that he is using his talent and love of the world's oldest game to try and make a difference in the lives of children!

Sources:

1. "Gary Kasparov," Wikipedia.com
2. "Kasparov Chess Foundation," kasparovchessfoundation.org
3. "History of Chess," chess-poster.com/english/chesmayne/history_of_chess
4. "History of Chess," Wikipedia.com
5. "Chess - Online Guide," tradgames.org.uk/games/Chess