Robert James "Bobby" Fischer, who shocked the world by defeating the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky in the 21st game of the World Championship Match, died on January 17th, 2008, at the age of 64.
Cold War hero
In July 1974, the arrogant and eccentric 29-year-old American chess virtuoso arrived in Reykjavik, Iceland, and did what no American-born player had ever done in the history of World Chess Championships. In a match characterized by psychological sparring and brilliant chess board play, Fischer's victory broke the Soviet Union's dominance of the game and made him a national hero.
Early life
Born in Chicago on March 9th, 1943, the Brooklyn-raised Fischer began playing chess with his sister at age six. In 1953, he placed fifth in his first chess tournament, and by 1960, he had captured the first of eight U.S. Championship titles. By defeating Soviet citizen Tigran Petrosian during the 1971 World Chess Championship elimination matches, Fischer qualified to play Boris Spassky for the world title. Unfortunately, his 1972 victory over Spassky also exposed idiosyncrasies which throughout his career would cast shadows over his genius.
Into Seclusion
By refusing to defend his title in 1975 against Anatoly Karpov, Fischer resigned, giving Karpov the crown by default. Soon afterward, the man who many experts regard as the greatest chess player in history retired from tournament competition, and for nearly 20 years remained in obscurity.
Fugitive
In 1992, Fischer briefly emerged from seclusion to play a rematch with his old rival Boris Spassky. Fischer claimed his share of the reported $5,000,000 purse after again defeating Spassky in Yugoslavia, 10 wins to five, with 15 draws. The match violated U.N. economic sanctions against Yugoslavia and an arrest warrant was issued for Fischer, who would remain wanted by the United States government for the rest of his life. The rematch was the last public competition in which the youngest Grandmaster in chess history would compete.
Contributions to the Game
Bobby Fischer changed the way the game of chess is played and provided avant-garde contributions to chess theory. His Fischer chess clock, which has been adopted as the standard for international play, and Fischer Random Chess, (also called Chess 960), which uses a random arrangement of the pieces to begin play, were the results of his growing frustration with a game which he claimed had become completely dead and uncreative.
Quiet Farewell
Bobby Fischer leaves history as perhaps the most enigmatic symbol of a generation famous for its cultural rebels. Despite his unsurpassable genius for logic and reasoning on the chess board, his reclusive behaviors and hostile attitudes in later life were often characterized by anti-Semitic remarks and strong resentments toward the United States. He died quietly in his home in Reykjav￭k, Iceland, and is survived by his daughter, Jinky Ong.
