The CAS visited by chess grandmaster and Russian opposition activist Kasparov
22. 02. 2024
Garry Kasparov, the world-renowned chess grandmaster and former world chess champion, Russian political activist in exile and opponent of Vladimir Putin’s regime, was received today at the Czech Academy of Sciences by its President, Eva Zažímalová, and Member of the Academy Council, David Honys. The Academy was one of the few places Kasparov visited during his three-day stay in Prague.
After retiring from competitive chess in 2005, the former world chess champion turned to politics. Garry Kasparov is currently a prominent figure of the Russian opposition in exile and actively speaks out against Putin’s regime and the war in Ukraine. On Wednesday, 21 February 2024, he visited the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, and the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavský.
On Thursday, 22 February 2024, the activist met with the President of the CAS, Eva Zažímalová, and David Honys, who is in charge of international affairs as part of the Academy Council. Kasparov’s international visits are serving as a springboard for amassing support for his opposition endeavours.
“It is not a purely political issue; it is more comprehensive than that. The issue in question holds public interest, and that is why having the support, the intellectual authority and credibility of this highly respected institution is important to us,” Kasparov explained in connection to his meeting at the Czech Academy of Sciences.
The Academy has been on the side of the invaded country since the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. It has recently announced a second call for its Researchers at Risk Fellowship Programme, open to researchers from all countries with hybrid and authoritarian regimes in place or at risk of war, including Ukrainian scientists.
Prepared by: Leona Matušková, External Relations Division, CAO of the CAS
Translated by: Tereza Novická, External Relations Division, CAO of the CAS
Photo: Jana Plavec, External Relations Division, CAO of the CAS
The text and photos are released for use under the Creative Commons licence.
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The Czech Academy of Sciences (the CAS)
The mission of the CAS
The primary mission of the CAS is to conduct research in a broad spectrum of natural, technical and social sciences as well as humanities. This research aims to advance progress of scientific knowledge at the international level, considering, however, the specific needs of the Czech society and the national culture.
President of the CAS
Prof. Radomír Pánek started his first term of office in March 2025. He is a prominent Czech scientist specializing in plasma physics and nuclear fusion.