Bobby Fisher left us today in an Icelandic hospital. That was a long way from his start in Chicago.

Chess is a frustrating game, and like golf, can be addictive in the pursuit of improving at it. Fisher turned it into his passion and career. He turned his back on the country that embraced him after he beat Spassky in 1972, and ehulted in the 9/11 attacks. He was different. There is now a gourp of 40/50 somethings who are toiling away at local chess tounaments because of Bobby Fisher.

I wrote my university senior thesis (I was a history major.) on his 1972 match with Spassky, I wish I could find it. I got a B. The professor said that the 1972 World Chess championship was not historically relevant. Looking back my professor was certainly mistaken.

O43

He was clearly mentally ill later in life. What is disgusting is how the media used his outrageous statements to sell copy when they also knew he was sick.

I too remember his great victory over the Russians. Your professor was, indeed, wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by LKS:
He was clearly mentally ill later in life. What is disgusting is how the media used his outrageous statements to sell copy when they also knew he was sick.

I too remember his great victory over the Russians. Your professor was, indeed, wrong.

I'm not sure that committment to chess doesn't breed some emntal illness. I used to play in tournaments here and there (not successfully), and there was some real nuts hanging around. I don't know if nuts are attracted to the game, or if the game creates nuts.

Gary Kasparov seems to be an exception, but world class grandmasters are a goofy lot. Starting with their inability to often acquint themselves with soap, and then it goes from there.

Jon

Well, some say there's a fine line between genius and madness. Personally I think that Chess is overrated. Being an outstanding chess player means that you are an outstanding chess player. Big deal. Rainman could do amazing things too, but I don't see the Superpowers lining up to hire him.