Check Mate

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former world champion Garry Kasparov said on Friday he had retired from competition chess to devote himself to Russian politics and oppose President Vladimir Putin.

The world's number one chess player is a leading member of a liberal grouping known as Committee 2008, set up by liberals after their disastrous showing in the 2003 parliamentary election.

"I have done everything I could in chess and more. Now I plan to use my intellect and strategic thoughts in Russian politics," Kasparov said in a statement, quoted by Interfax news agency.

Kasparov, 41, announced his departure after winning a prestigious tournament in the southern Spanish town of Linares for the ninth time on Thursday.