This is a guy who does not quit when the going get’s tough.  In being part of Garry Kasparov’s first chess match vs. IBM’s Deep Blue Super Computer in Philadelphia, PA in 1996 we put the Internet on the front page of every major newspaper around the world in 1996.  Kasparov best IBM handily.  Kasparov loves a challenge  and was not intimidated by IBM’s Deep Blue, this is a man with sheer brain power. 

In the second Kasparov vs. IBM match (IBM won)  I believe that IBM stacked the computer deck so much so that Kasparov lost.  During a recent interview with 60 Minutes it was suggested that Kasparov was going to lose this battle. 

Now, Kasparov has been arrested in attempting to bring a pro-democracy protest before Russia‘s parliament election.  Two points here:  #1) the Russian government should not underestimate Kasparov (he has global and Internet reach) #2) Kasparov plays to win and while Putin has the stronger hand Kasparov has the sympathy of the Russian people and he knows how to check mate his opponents even if they have a better hand.

When democracies are being created it can get very messy, expect this effort to be no different.   Kremlin 1, Kasparov 0