In spite of the antipathy – chess players also analyse the strengths of their opponents. Is there anything you admire about Putin?
Kasparov: For me the individual Putin is not so important. Putin is the product of a system, not its creator. His personal responsibility for the inhuman regime that threatens the future of Russia is overestimated.
Are you trying to test our memory? A few minutes ago you painted a different picture: the boss commands, his footmen execute the order.
Kasparov: That is only superficially a contradiction. Putin was picked out in the late 90s by the Yeltsin clan, groomed and raised all the way to the top. At the time he was not a strong, charismatic figure, but a henchman. I do not say that Putin has no power today. But the social evils will not disappear when he goes. The problem is deeper.
