Moscow ? The former world chess champion Garry Kasparov entered Russia’s presidential race Sunday, elected overwhelmingly as the candidate for the country’s beleaguered opposition coalition.

Kasparov has been a driving force behind the coalition, which has united liberals, leftists and nationalists in opposition to President Vladimir Putin. He received 379 of 498 votes at a national congress held in Moscow by the Other Russia coalition, coalition spokeswoman Lyudmila Mamina said.

Kasparov’s place on the March ballot was not assured. His candidacy still needs to be registered and is likely to be blocked.

Even if he were allowed to run, Kasparov would not be expected to pose a major challenge to whichever candidate wins Putin’s backing.