Bobby Fischer the former World Chess Champion died in Reykjavik, Iceland. He was aged 64. He was truly a legend not only in but also outside the chess world. His death cannot be let pass without some mention here.
He was the first American World Chess Champion, a title that he gained by defeating Boris Spassky in 1972. That match took place in Reykjavik, which became his home since 2005. At that time Fischer was a mere teen of 15. It was a celebrated match, hailed as the “match of the century”, as that was during the height of the Cold War between American and Russia. Fischer was an American, and Spassky was Russian. And Russia had until then dominated the chess world. It was a symbolic triumph for the US. It's ironic that later Fischer renounced his US citizenship and frequently made derogatory remarks about the country of his birth.
He was an eccentric person even at his young age. After his victory over Spassky he refused to play again. In 1975 he was stripped of his title. However in 1992 he had a rematch with Spassky, whom he defeated again. The game was played in the former Yugoslavia, despite protestations by the US that this was breaking international sanctions. As a result Fischer became a wanted man.
In 2004 he was held at the airport in Japan for travelling on a revoked US passport. The Japanese were wavering whether to send him back to US, where he would be arrested. Iceland offered him sanctuary and gave him Icelandic citizenship. He lived there for his remaining years.
He made headlines in September 2001 by publicly rejoicing at the 9-11 attack in New York, and speaking against the Jews (although he was half-Jewish).
His remarks against the US were also colourful. Borrowing from Bush, he denounced the US as an evil-doer, and being one of the “allies of evil”.
An eccentric indeed, but without doubt a legend, and one of the greatest chess minds that ever lived.
Chess Legend Bobby Fischer Has Died
He was the first American World Chess Champion, a title that he gained by defeating Boris Spassky in 1972. That match took place in Reykjavik, which became his home since 2005. At that time Fischer was a mere teen of 15. It was a celebrated match, hailed as the “match of the century”, as that was during the height of the Cold War between American and Russia. Fischer was an American, and Spassky was Russian. And Russia had until then dominated the chess world. It was a symbolic triumph for the US. It's ironic that later Fischer renounced his US citizenship and frequently made derogatory remarks about the country of his birth.
He was an eccentric person even at his young age. After his victory over Spassky he refused to play again. In 1975 he was stripped of his title. However in 1992 he had a rematch with Spassky, whom he defeated again. The game was played in the former Yugoslavia, despite protestations by the US that this was breaking international sanctions. As a result Fischer became a wanted man.
In 2004 he was held at the airport in Japan for travelling on a revoked US passport. The Japanese were wavering whether to send him back to US, where he would be arrested. Iceland offered him sanctuary and gave him Icelandic citizenship. He lived there for his remaining years.
He made headlines in September 2001 by publicly rejoicing at the 9-11 attack in New York, and speaking against the Jews (although he was half-Jewish).
His remarks against the US were also colourful. Borrowing from Bush, he denounced the US as an evil-doer, and being one of the “allies of evil”.
An eccentric indeed, but without doubt a legend, and one of the greatest chess minds that ever lived.
Chess Legend Bobby Fischer Has Died
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