Garry Kasparov Clarifies Post About Rahul Gandhi After it Goes Viral

Garry Kasparov’s recent social media post discussing Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s fondness for chess quickly gained traction online. In response to Rahul Gandhi’s claim to be the best chess player among Indian politicians, Kasparov made a playful remark, suggesting that Gandhi should first secure a victory in Rae Bareli before aspiring to higher challenges.

However, Kasparov clarified that his comment was intended as a lighthearted joke rather than a serious statement on Indian politics, emphasizing that he did not want it to be construed as advocacy or political expertise. The former world champion also exchanged replies with other social media users who commented on his initial post, including actor Ranvir Shorey.

Shorey’s comment appeared to allude to Gandhi’s chess claims. Additionally, Rahul Gandhi named Kasparov as his favorite chess player and drew parallels between the game and politics, asserting that the opponent’s pieces in chess operate similarly to one’s own as proficiency increases.

Kasparov, known for his outspoken criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is based in Croatia after leaving his country and has been active in political activism. Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting elections from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad, referred to Kasparov as a “non-linear thinker” in a Congress video.

Kasparov, a contemporary of Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, congratulated 17-year-old D Gukesh for his achievement in the Candidates Tournament in Toronto, referring to him as “the Indian earthquake in Toronto.” It’s worth noting that apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.