Stop feeding the troll, please.
Sorry!
The fact that Petrosian played chess longer than Fischer is irrelevant to a determination of who was the better chess player. If how long someone plays chess had any relevance to how good a chess player they were, millions of patzers would be better than Fischer.
You're saying Petrosian accomplished more. Based on what criteria? Number of WCC titles, number of tournaments won, margin of victory in those tournaments, ELO rating? What's your criteria for saying Petrosian accomplished more? Why be so vague? If you believe what you're writing, be specific. Give criteria.
I (and I'd wager most people) define who is a better chess player by how he would fare in direct competition with another player - either in reality or a hypothetical match-up when each player was at his peak. Is the reason you don't use this criteria - and instead use the vague "accomplished more" - because you know Fischer demolished Petrosian in direct competition?
Irving Chernev, who devoted his life to the study of chess and who wrote more chess books than you or I will probably ever read, ranked Fischer above Petrosian on his list of the 12 greatest chess players who ever lived - and that was *before* Fischer became WCC and ^after* Petrosian lost the title.
I'm no great fan of Fischer but I'm not so blinded by hatred for him that I can't look at his ability objectively.
My last cheeseburger for the OP: By winning the WCC, Fischer did more for chess in 48 hours than Petrosian did the entire time he was WCC. By popularizing chess among the masses and getting higher purses for chess players, Fischer not only sparked a revival in chess but enabled non-state supported players to earn a living from it, whether by teaching, writing, playing. He also inspired kids who would later become elite chess players and add their knowledge and gifts to the game, bringing it to a higher level.
Did Petrosian do anything close to that as WCC?
The kitchen is now closed:)
Stop feeding the troll, please.
Be careful, or the troll might accuse you of playing Pokemon.
This is the first time I have heard that Petrosjan was a better player than Fischer. He was not considered to be a strong player at that time - if you prefer fantasy, imagination and so on. If you prefer a player that is difficult to defeat, take Petrosjan - but he had also problems when to win over strong players like Larsen, Spassky, Fischer ........
No one is complaining about Fischer as a challenger.
it is Fischer as a champion that we are criticizing. Name one noteworthy thing Fischer did as a champion?
Petrosian was a good, fighting champ. Fischer vacated the throne as soon as he got there.
The grill is closed. We can offer peanuts and potato chips only. Ice water also is available for a nominal fee. We have beer on tap if you are of legal age but we cannot run a tab without a major credit card. Would you like to hear our drink specials?
I loved Fischer as imperfect as he was. His old games are so fun and interesting to go through.
Oddly, he had one of the estimated top 10 IQs of all time, yet did nothing else but play chess. And unfortunately dabble in politics. Others with super high IQs wrote, invented etc.
Fischer's chess was beautiful. His demons kept him from being a great champion though.
William Hartston wrote a satirical story of Fischer selling his soul to Satan in exchange for 18 match wins. According to the story, Fischer felt that would be enough to win the world championship and retire a legend after holding his title for twenty years.
Sadly, but predictably, Satan gave him 18 game wins. So Bill Lombardy went down to Hell and managed to guarantee Satan's help in winning the World Championship, in exchange for his soul too. But since Satan made clear that was the end of his support, Fischer retired rather than play another world championship.
Yeah, without the help of Satan he just couldn't make it there again. Very useful information! Thanks..
Fischer's chess was beautiful. His demons kept him from being a great champion though.
William Hartston wrote a satirical story of Fischer selling his soul to Satan in exchange for 18 match wins. According to the story, Fischer felt that would be enough to win the world championship and retire a legend after holding his title for twenty years.
Sadly, but predictably, Satan gave him 18 game wins. So Bill Lombardy went down to Hell and managed to guarantee Satan's help in winning the World Championship, in exchange for his soul too. But since Satan made clear that was the end of his support, Fischer retired rather than play another world championship.
We shoulda thrown in Tetsou shima's soul, along with the rest. Fischer would still be champion today!
The grill is closed. We can offer peanuts and potato chips only. Ice water also is available for a nominal fee. We have beer on tap if you are of legal age but we cannot run a tab without a major credit card. Would you like to hear our drink specials?
Should probably sell the grill, and buy a used car lot.
@Ubik42 - The bartender has informed me that you've been quite liberal with your consumption of the peanuts and potato chips. You should be aware that they are reserved for paying customers. Do you intend to order a beverage? If not, I'm afraid you will have to give up your seat to one of the many customers who already have purchased a drink and are waiting to sit down. May I call you a cab?
Ah, I see that you are a member of the RLS (Royally Lame Society.) That explains everything. Our assistant manager will escort you to the door. If you walk two blocks west, you will have no trouble acquiring a cab. Thank you for your cooperation.
Wasn't aware you had non-theistic affiliations and that wouldn't get under my skin at all. You're operating under a stereotype. People are much more interesting when you realize they're individuals and don't all think alike
i hate it when people get agitated if i bring god into the discussion, but then turn and try to say it is our views on deity, religion, etc., that is the reason for our differences....
.....i guess people with double standards think they are better than us who have less ?....beisdes, i thought we werent supposed to discuss religion in the forums....
Ah, I see that you are a member of the RLS (Royally Lame Society.) That explains everything. Our assistant manager will escort you to the door. If you walk two blocks west, you will have no trouble acquiring a cab. Thank you for your cooperation.
Wasn't aware you had non-theistic affiliations and that wouldn't get under my skin at all. You're operating under a stereotype. People are much more interesting when you realize they're individuals and don't all think alike
Uh oh. Someone look up "hypocrisy" in the dictionary....
Alekhine successfully defended his title but not against the strongest player at the time. Wasn't aware Petrosian successfully defended his title. Do you know who Petrosian beat in his successful title defense?
In 1966 Petrosian beat Spassky already! In 1969 Spassky finally won!