Kasparov Makes Putin Play Defense; 'Other Russia' Unites Opponents

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Byline: Michael Mainville, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

MOSCOW - In his 20 years at the top of the professional chess world, Garry Kasparov was known as a risk-taker, a relentless aggressor who loved to throw his opponents off balance. A year after his retirement, Mr. Kasparov is still taking risks, but against a very different kind of opponent.

Mr. Kasparov, 43, has thrown himself into the murky and sometimes dangerous world of Russian politics. A fierce opponent of President Vladimir Putin, Mr. Kasparov has become the driving force behind a movement to unite opposition forces ahead of Russia's 2008 presidential election.

In the process, he has been threatened, his offices have been raided and he has even been struck on the head with a chessboard by a disgruntled former fan.

"I'm discovering that politics, …