Garry Kasparov: biography, origins, Deep Blue and legacy

Garry Kasparov, born in 1963 in Baku to a family of Armenian and Jewish heritage, reigned over world chess for 15 years and still holds the historic Elo rating record with 2851 points reached in 1999. His 1997 match against the Deep Blue computer marked a turning point in the history of artificial intelligence. Kasparov remains an essential reference for understanding the evolution of modern chess.

A prodigy’s early years

Garry Kasparov was born Garry Weinstein in Baku, Soviet Azerbaijan. His father, Kim Weinstein, was of Jewish heritage; his mother, Klara Kasparian, was of Armenian heritage. It was his father who taught him chess at the age of 6 by solving a newspaper puzzle. The young Garry’s talent was immediately evident.

At 13, he won the USSR junior championship. At 16, he took part in his first Grandmaster tournament and finished first. At 17, he earned the International Grandmaster title — the youngest of his time. The chess world understood that a phenomenon was emerging.

The youngest world champion

In 1984, Kasparov faced the reigning champion Anatoly Karpov in a marathon match that lasted 5 months and 48 games — the longest in history. The match was stopped without a winner by FIDE, under controversial circumstances. Kasparov was ahead on score, and many believe he was on the verge of winning.

The rematch took place in 1985 in Moscow. This time, Kasparov won the title at 22, becoming the youngest world chess champion in history — a record that would stand until Magnus Carlsen broke it in 2013 (at 22 years and 357 days versus 22 years and 210 days for Kasparov). For a detailed comparison of these two legends’ careers and styles, see our comparison between Kasparov and Carlsen.

The Kasparov style

Kasparov’s playing style was marked by remarkable energy and aggression, combined with unprecedented theoretical preparation. Where his rival Karpov excelled at patient positional play, Kasparov preferred dynamic, complex and tactically explosive positions.

Kasparov vs Karpov: the greatest rivalry

The rivalry between Kasparov and Karpov is the most famous in the history of chess. Between 1984 and 1990, the two players met in 5 world championship matches totalling 144 games. Kasparov won 3 matches, Karpov 1, and 1 was interrupted.

This rivalry went far beyond the board: Karpov, backed by the Soviet system, represented the establishment; Kasparov, young and rebellious, embodied the new generation. Their clash also symbolised the collision of two diametrically opposed playing styles — Karpov’s patience against Kasparov’s fire.

Deep Blue: man against machine

In 1996, Kasparov faced Deep Blue, IBM’s supercomputer, in a 6-game match in Philadelphia. Kasparov won the match 4-2, proving the superiority of human intellect. The world breathed a sigh of relief.

But in 1997, IBM returned with an improved version. The match was played in New York under the cameras of the world’s media. Deep Blue won the 6th and final game — and the match — 3.5 to 2.5. It was the first victory by a computer over a world champion in a match. The event made headlines everywhere and marked a turning point in the history of chess and of artificial intelligence. To relive this historic duel in detail, minute by minute, see our full account of the Kasparov versus Deep Blue duel.

Kasparov accused IBM of cheating by having humans intervene in the machine’s decisions — an accusation never proven. IBM refused a rematch and dismantled Deep Blue. The mystery persists, but the event changed forever the relationship between man and machine in chess.

An outstanding record

Life after chess: author and thinker

Since his retirement in 2005, Kasparov has devoted himself to writing, public speaking and political activism. His book My Great Predecessors (5 volumes) is considered one of the greatest works of chess literature ever written. In it, he analyses in depth the games of the world champions who preceded him, from Steinitz to Karpov.

More recently, his book Deep Thinking (2017) explores the relationship between human and artificial intelligence, drawing lessons from his experience with Deep Blue. In it, Kasparov argues that the future lies in human-machine collaboration rather than competition.

Choose a chess set worthy of a legend

To extend your admiration for Kasparov, nothing beats a chess set worthy of his legacy: a Staunton set in fine wood, the format he used throughout his career.

This classic Staunton set in ebony and boxwood, with its mahogany chess board, embodies the rigour and elegance of top-level play.

View the ebony and boxwood Staunton set

For a more prestigious interior, our luxury chess sets and chess sets in fine woods bring together our most refined pieces, while the Staunton chess sets collection gathers the whole of the format established in 1849.

Kasparov and chess today

Kasparov’s legacy continues to influence modern chess. His dynamic attacking style, rigorous preparation and pioneering use of computers defined contemporary chess. Magnus Carlsen himself acknowledges Kasparov’s influence on his own play.

For enthusiasts wishing to discover the Kasparov style, his games are analysed in our chess books and our video courses. And to play like a champion — on a chess board worthy of the name — discover our Staunton pieces in fine wood, the same format Kasparov used throughout his career.