FORMER world champion GM Garry Kasparov is set for a one-day visit in Manila on Tuesday to campaign for the presidency of the International Chess Federation (Fide).
Kasparov is set to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal One around 12 noonto meet with National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) officials led by president Prospero Pichay.
A political activist in his native Russia, Kasparov is also expected to visit the Senate during his short stay.
Chess oldtimers said this will be the first time the Russian chess genius will be visiting the Philippines since the he led Russia to the open title in the 1992 World Chess Olympiad in Manila.
The Fide elections will be held on August 29 of next year in Norway, which will coincide with the 2014 World Chess Olympiad.
Ironically, a Filipino will also be vying for the Fide secretary general post in Asian Chess Federation deputy vice president Casto ‘Toti’ Abundo, who will run under the ticket of Kasparov’s rival and incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.
Kasparov is considered the sport’s greatest player and most controversial figure.
He became the youngest world champion in 1985 after defeating longtime rival Anatoly Karpov at age 22 years old. He held the world number one ranking based on ELO ratings from 1986 to 2005 when he announced his retirement.
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