Garry Kasparov was born on April 13, 1963, in Baku, Azerbaijan. His father, Kim Moiseyevich Weinstein, was Jewish and his mother, Klara Shagenovna Gasparian, was Armenian. They changed their surname to Kasparov, a Russified version of his mother's maiden name. From a young age, Kasparov showed a talent for chess, and at the age of 10, he began training with former world champion Mikhail Botvinnik.
At the age of 22, in 1985, Kasparov became the youngest World Champion of Chess, a title he held until 2000. Known for his aggressive playing style and tactical brilliance, he quickly rose to the top of the chess world. His peak FIDE rating was an impressive 2851, which he achieved in 1999, making him one of the highest-rated chess players in history.
In 1997, Kasparov faced a new kind of opponent when he played against IBM's Deep Blue, a supercomputer specifically designed to play chess. It was a highly publicized match, and despite winning the first game, Kasparov ultimately lost the match to Deep Blue. This marked the first time a reigning world chess champion had been defeated by a computer.
Despite his loss to Deep Blue, Kasparov's legacy in the world of chess remains unblemished. He continued to compete at a high level for many years after, and even after his retirement from professional chess, he remains a prominent figure in the chess community. In addition to his playing career, Kasparov has also written several books on chess, including the acclaimed "My Great Predecessors," which delves into the history of the game.
Kasparov has been married twice and has two children. He had a daughter, Polina, with his first wife, Masha, and a son, Vadim, with his second wife, Yulia.
Garry Kasparov's impact on the world of chess is undeniable. His skill, intellect, and competitive spirit have made him a legend in the game, and his contributions to chess theory and history will continue to be studied and admired for generations to come.
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