Garry Kasparov in fear of returning to Russia over Putin stance Former chess champion Garry Kasparov, an anti-Kremlin activist, says he will not be returning to Russia for fear of recrimination. FORMER world chess champion and anti-Kremlin activist Garry Kasparov says he is currently staying out of Russia over fears he could be investigated as part of the authorities' crackdown on the opposition. "I kept travelling back and forth until late February when it became clear that I might be part of this ongoing investigation of the activities of the political protesters," Garry Kasparov said in Geneva today, according to an audio recording posted on his website. Right now, I have serious doubts that if I return to Moscow I may not be able to travel back. So for the time being I refrain from returning to Russia. Garry Kasparov on Facebook The chess legend has in recent years become an impassioned campaigner against the rule of President Vladimir Putin and took part in some of the mass opposition street protests against his rule.