May 7, 2008
News that retired chess champ Gary Kasparov is to be a speaker at the Leaders in London conference this year came as a bolt from the (deep) blue for Yours Truly.
Having very nearly followed every step of the 'exciting', yet somewhat chequered career of the master of all things chess-shaped, Guru is wondering if he is the only person confused by this choice of 'leader'.
After all, Kasparov won some chess games, lost to a computer (IBM's 'Deep Blue'), won some more chess games and... er... that's it. Or just about.
After retiring from the hectic world of chess in 2005, Kasparov did set up the United Civil Front, a splinter group of The Other Russia, which took to the streets to protest against Vladimir Putin and general corruption all round. But while Guru is all for protesting against the miniscule former Russian president, the trouble is, the Russian people have not and continue to not join the chess wizard's campaign in their droves.
So what, apart from a distinctly black and white view of the world, can GazzaKazza bring to the world of leadership? No doubt his dedication to his 'art' has given the Putin-hater some keen insights into... um... playing chess, that we can all learn from.
Fortunately, Yours Truly has been able to plunder the mind of Gary's speech-writer and come up with a complete presentation (please read with cod-Russian accent):
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. True leaders need to... um... spend lots of time learning how to play chess and... erm... play chess. But don't play chess against computers. Or Vladimir Putin, he is bad man. But do play chess in aeroplanes... and play chess in the bath... at breakfast, lunch and tea. And, to keep your mind healthy, occasionally play chequers. On second thoughts, scrub that last one. Thank you."
What next, management training from the world marble champion? The psychology of tiddlywinks? The philatelists guide to team bonding? Phil 'the power' Taylor's guide to healthy breakfast briefings?
Clearly, Kasparov on leadership is the natural next step up from the tautological BBC Sports Personality of the Year, which reminds us once a year just what the world is missing by not listening to its pampered sports heroes: "We dun good. Da boyz dun good. Stuck togevva. We knew if we scored more goals than them we would winnit. And we dun it."
Obviously Leaders in London won't be expecting that level of wit and insight from the Russian chess king, and Kasparov is unlikely to be put in a head-to-head discussion with IBM's finest computer. But his appearance surely paves the way for washed-up sportsmen to finally break free from the existentialist hell that is the 'sofa of eternity' in the Huis Clos world that is the BBC TV sports department.
Comments (1)
According to a very reliable source (The Sun) the alternative speakers on Leadership (Josef Fritzl cancelled at short notice) where Heather McCartney (sorry Mills again)or Tony Blair, or Gordon Ramsey, Who would you have chosen??
Posted by Disciple Neil | May 12, 2008 3:11 PM
Posted on May 12, 2008 15:11