Gary Kasparov announces decision to retire

[connoisseur series500]

In my opinion, Kasparov was the greatest player in chess history. He has decided to retire from competitive chess at the (still young) age of 42.

He cites the current mess regarding world championship unification and a lack of anything further to prove as the main reasons.

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=2258

It's a sad day for chess fans. He leaves as still the highest rated player in the world. No one else is really close. More importantly, he almost comes across as a normal guy...well almost!

Edited March 11, 2005 by connoisseur series500

[Jim Alfredson]

People still play chess?

[Free For All]

He has decided to retire from competitive chess at the (still young) age of 42. 

Yeah, I heard his knees are shot. It's a brutal sport. B-)

[connoisseur series500]

People still play chess?

Despite what computers have done, the answer is still "yes!"

B-)

[Dr. Rat]

In my opinion, Kasparov was the greatest player in chess history. He has decided to retire from competitive chess at the (still young) age of 42.

He cites the current mess regarding world championship unification and a lack of anything further to prove as the main reasons.

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=2258

It's a sad day for chess fans. He leaves as still the highest rated player in the world. No one else is really close. More importantly, he almost comes across as a normal guy...well almost!

This is really too bad for chess. As well as being an adventuresome player, Kasparaov was also a forceful personality.

I don't see anyone else really filling his shoes.

As to the grueling nature of chess: I can't imagine many of today's superstar babies in physical sports being able to stand the pressure puts on a human being. Might want to check out the new book Bobby Fischer Goes to War on this general topic.

And computers ending chess is kind of like cars ending track and field, don't you think?

[BruceH]

He has decided to retire from competitive chess at the (still young) age of 42. 

Yeah, I heard his knees are shot. It's a brutal sport. B-)

I thought playing a lot of chess burnt out your frontal lobes.

[Guest che]

He has considered a political career in the past, maybe this is the direction he will go in. I agree he is the finest chess player so far, but all good things come to an end.

Che.

[rostasi]

I noticed that he announced his retirement the next day after Bobby Fischer's birthday.

Wonder who'll take on the new computers?

Used to play chess in the 70's, but changed to "Go" afterwards.