TORONTO -- Garry Kasparov, the former world chess champion who has become a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, said he fears for his safety but will continue to push for democracy.

In a speech to the Empire Club of Canada in Toronto on Tuesday, Kasparov said he would have to overcome those fears to continue his opposition activities. "As one of the leaders of the Russian opposition, I cannot separate myself from the risks that are carried by anybody in Russia who is fighting and opposing Putin's regime," he said.

Kasparov also said the West should do business with Russia, but with the same political caution it applies to China. "Canada and the United States and Europe are doing a lot of business with China, but nobody is rushing to call Chinese leaders democrats," he said.