'Win Raebareli Before Challenging For The Top', Garry Kasparov Tells 'Best Chess Player Among Politicians'

Congress's move to field Rahul Gandhi as the party's candidate from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 came as a surprise to many. Rahul, the incumbent MP from Wayanad in Kerala is already seeking reelection from there. But many also expected Rahul to contest from Amethi against Smriti Irani, to whom he lost in 2019.

RAHUL GANDHI

Garry Kasparov's advice to Rahul Gandhi

As politicians and analysts continue to debate the merits and demerits of Rahul contesting from Raebareli, he got a rather unusual piece of advice from abroad.

Also read: Rs 55,000 Cash To Stock Investments: Rahul Gandhi Declares Details Of His Income

Russian Chess legend Garry Kasparov has joined the discussion, though in a different way.

"Traditional (sic) dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top," Kasparov said on X.

The 61-year-old was responding to a Twitter user who said "Feel so relieved that Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand retired early and didn't have to face the greatest chess genius of our times."

FILE IMAGE

Best chess player among politicians

This was an indirect dig at Rahul who was seen playing chess on his mobile phone while on the Lok Sabha election campaign trail. In the video, Rahul also named Kasparov as his favourite chess player and drew parallels between the game and politics.

"...once you get slightly better at it, the opponent's pieces actually operate almost like your own," Rahul had said.

He further described himself as the best chess player among politicians.

BCCL

Little joke: Kasparov

After his tweet went viral, Kasparov, who is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats of Chess clarified that he was just joking and there was no politics involved.

"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," he said.

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!

¡ª Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) May 3, 2024

Also read: Kasparov regrets leaving chess: Anand

FILE IMAGE

Kasparov's Chess legacy

Kasparov who became the youngest-ever undisputed world champion at the age of 22 in 1985 also held the world number-one ranking for a record 255 weeks. Kasparov who retired from Chess in 2005 is now a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and currently lives in Croatia.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.