05.04.2005 E.Najer talks about Kasparov's retirement

Do you think Kasparov will return to serious chess?

I think he’ll return. And it seems to me that it’s going to resemble the first come-back of Michael Jordan – it can be triumphal as well. Kasparov has left not because of a weak play or bad results. His time in chess isn't over yet. However, his return depends to a greater extent not only on himself, but on the whole situation in the chess world...

Where would you place Kasparov among the other world champions?

I would give him the 1st place. Both according to the results in tournaments and to the quality of the games he is prominent. The encounters Kasparov – Karpov are the best of the chess history. Besides, Kasparov managed to do almost the unbelievable – to beat the following generation. To make it complete, he only needs a victory over Kramnik in the return match… I hardly believe that within the next decades will grow up a new chess player which will be able to compete with Kasparov in achievements. It’s quite difficult for me to give a top-three of greatest champions. Most of them are great, and to award places to them is unfortunately a complicated and thankless mission.

How will his retirement affect the chess society? What negative (or, perhaps, positive) consequences do you expect?

At any case there won’t be more tournaments. Although a new aim for the sponsors may appear – to return Kasparov to the serious chess... It’s difficult to say, how Kasparov’s retirement will affect the whole situation with sponsors. There were unsuccessful tournaments even with his participation. The thought that the name of Kasparov can easily attract a good money was very popular, but judging from the cancelled matches of last years the situation has changed for the worse.

Should the FIDE proposal concerning the championship match-tournament remain in effect, or it makes sense to reconsider or even call it back? Do you like the idea of the championship match-tournament?

I believe that the majority of chess supporters would like to return to the old system, probably, in a bit simplified form. For example, qualification by Swiss or Double Knock-out, than candidate matches since quarter-finals. Match-tournament as it is proposed by FIDE is not too realistic idea. On the whole match-tournament is a good variant, but one must organize a qualification. One cannot select only according to the raring or to the wishes of the organizers. The system of ACP would be optimal. It is better to choose 7-8 participants for the decisive stage after one year or two instead of selecting from one though the most representative competition.

 Questions were asked by Misha Savinov.

This article is published with permission of Association of Chess Professionals