Kasparov to return to chess

Chess legend says he will make a brief return to competition in Zurich, where his old foe Karpov will also be playing.

Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov on Thursday said he would be making a brief return to competition in a tournament in Zurich next month, where his old foe Anatoly Karpov will also be playing.

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"At the end of August Garry Kasparov will take part in a demonstration tournament in Zurich (to mark) the 150th anniversary of the Credit Suisse (bank) which for many years sponsored chess worldwide," his website said.

"Also taking part in the tournament besides Kasparov will be three other famous chess-players: Viktor Korchnoi, Anatoly Karpov and Judit Polgar (of Hungary)," it added.

"Participation in this tournament does not mean the return of Garry Kasparov" to the professional circuit, the website said.

Kasparov has been active in the political opposition at Russian President Vladimir Putin since announcing last year he was withdrawing from competitive chess and has created his own political party.

He said in January 2005 that he would not take part in that year's International Chess Federation (FIDE) championship, without completely ruling out further competitive participation.