Renowned Russian chess master, Garry Kasparov, took a swipe at Indian politician Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from both the Raebareli and Wayanad parliamentary constituencies. The chess prodigy remarked, “Conventional wisdom suggests triumph in Raebareli ought to precede aspirations for the summit.”

Kasparov’s critique of the Congress leader followed Jairam Ramesh’s laudatory description of Gandhi as “a seasoned hand in the realms of politics and chess,” made subsequent to Gandhi’s filing of candidacy in Raebareli after prolonged speculation.

Kasparov’s retort wasn’t aimed at Ramesh’s tweet per se, but rather a “casual musing” by an X user on social media platform. In response, Kasparov quipped, “Orthodoxy dictates victory in Raebareli before eyeing loftier goals!” accompanied by a jovial emoji.

In a similar vein, when actor Ranvir Shorey posted a related comment, the grandmaster remarked, “I sincerely trust my jest isn’t mistaken for political endorsement or punditry in Indian politics! Yet, as a ‘panoptic entity with myriad perspectives,’ as I was once dubbed, I cannot overlook a politician dabbling in my cherished pursuit!”

Ramesh’s statement extolled Gandhi as a seasoned player in both the political arena and the game of chess. “The party leadership deliberates extensively before arriving at decisions, which are part of a broader strategy. This singular decision has flummoxed the BJP, its adherents, and its flatterers. The BJP’s self-proclaimed strategist, who formerly championed ‘traditional strongholds,’ now finds himself at a loss for a rejoinder,” he elaborated.

Gandhi, in a Congress promotional video, disclosed Kasparov as his favored chess luminary, labeling him a “non-linear thinker.” Following speculations, Gandhi was nominated by the Congress from his ancestral Uttar Pradesh constituency, vacated by his mother upon her transition to the Rajya Sabha. Gandhi is poised to contest against former Congress member and thrice-elected MLC Dinesh Pratap Singh in Raebareli.

On May 7, 2024, during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, voting will transpire for both constituencies. Uttar Pradesh, with its 80 Lok Sabha seats, is conducting polling across all seven phases.

Achieving the pinnacle of chess at a youthful 22 years of age in 1985, Kasparov became the youngest-ever undisputed world champion. He held the top global ranking for a remarkable 255 weeks and presently engages in political activism.