Bobby Ficsher is dead. But we will see him every time we look at a chess board
may the greatest chess player in the world rest in peace.
I am at the moment reading a book about the now late Bobby Fischer it pulls no punches, "insolent, arrogant, abusive, vain, greedy, vulgar, bigoted, paranoid, obsessive,so perhaps he was, but with chess he had what seems a natural talent, a genius, almost unstoppable, he seems to have brought chess out of the closet and into the open, and with him other great players onto the world stage, thank you Mr Fisher for bringing chess to my attention may you rest in peace.
"Last option. Brilliant chess does not trump bigotry."
I agree.
In the couple of years leading up to 1972 Fischer increased the size of the chess world exponentially. We had a couple of hundred people in my office and of those at least 30-50 became interested in chess. We had games at lunchtime, as well as before and after hours.
As a result, Australian chess club membership hit an all-time high and interclub competition reached a level that present-day organisers can't hope to emulate. People in and out of the chess world were talking chess -- and if that happened in Oz I can only imagine what it was like in the States and in countries where chess is traditionally played.
One man created a chess renaissance, and that man was Bobby Fischer.
Like most reasonable people I deplored his anti-Semitic, anti-American rantings but I don't envy him the inner torment that took him down that road. When enough time has passed his outbursts will be forgotten, but his games will live as long as chess players are awed by his genius.
Sleep well, Bobby.
R.EST I.N P.ECAE
I. WILL PRY FOR YOU
P.PRY FOR YOU IN MANY YEARS MANY MOUNTHS AND DAYS
There are some mind numbingly stupid comments on this board. Do just a LITTLE research on what Fischer did, said, espoused, etc. in his life. Then come back here and we'll have a logical debate about whether or not he was a completely reprehensible human being. He was an anti-semetic, racist, anti-American, arrogant, selfish, bully who just happened to be one of the best players ever of a classic board game. If he had actully shot a Jew while playing a game of chess, would you then agree. He is ON AUDIO TAPE, WHICH IS READILY AVAILABLE saying:
-the holocaust never happened and is an invention of the Jews
-hundred of thousands of Jew "ringleaders" should be machine gunned in mass
I especially find the remarks of geniuses like "Dozy" above offensive....read his post, then substitue "Hitler" where it says "Fischer" and "fraternal organizations" where it says chess......you could have made the same post in 1939 about good old Adolf. You people are scary little chess fanatics.
HinManHouse is right. I looked it up. Whats a fact stays a fact. The title of proof is,'
--Bobby Fischer- Self-Hating Jewish Chessmaster--
He was a brilliant chess player, nobody can doubt that, but a ingenious talent cannot fix a twisted soul inlaid in a cold stone heart. When we try to measure his importance to this world, and thus to the human kind, our vision must be wide, seeing not just a brilliant chess player, but a retrograde and hatefull human being.
As a chess player, I say:"Bobby will be remembered", but as a HUMAN BEING, I say:"Go, and don't come back!"
Chess world = adequate loss of intelligence? Well, let's see. He hasn't played a game, written a book, or promoted anything worthy of printing unless you shave your head and live in Idaho commune for how long?
I voted for great things when younger but like many a genius, paranoia struck early enough to dissolve the lasting effects of who could have been.
Bobby Fischer died as the undethroned, legitimate, classical World Chess Champion. 2008 minus 1972 equals 36 years as champ - that means he surpassed Emanuel Lasker's record as the longest reigning champion Lasker held the title for 27 years. Nigel Short was 99% sure that it was Bobby Fischer who had been beating him in internet chess - blitz. Fischer's laptop revealed that his internet chess performance rating is over 3030 Elo and that he had been beating this Rybka, Fritz 7 and 10, and MIT's Greenblatt computer chess program.
We can all agree he was an EXCELLENT chess player; one of the BEST, or in some people's minds-THE BEST, in the world.
But, apart from the board, his anti-Semitic/America rantings, among his other bloviating tirades, cast a deep, dark shadow over the man. Too bad-so sad. I can't say I hate him for the negative things he espoused, as he's entitled to his opinions, I'm more saddened by it.
But it was pure hate-speach. It's a truism that, "Through the mouth the heart speaks." All that anger inside him; living it, feeling it, believing in it, which, no doubt, took it's toll on him, until it pulled him down into a pit from which no one returns.
I would just like to know what happened to him? What caused this profound change in him? If it was a disease that affected his mind/brain, then he can be forgiven. If not....
But, IMO, his games are immortal. I can study his games over and over, and learn so much. That's the Bobby Fischer I want to keep in my memories.
he is my idol but hed died on my birthday!!!!!
fischer may have done some terrible things,he may have been racist, and to some people very bad but you people who think he was very bad and just "happened" to be a great chess player look at the good inside him and the many people he inspired and you'll see that despite the bad things he did he was a great person and it breaks into little tiny pieces the size of an ant the he died
MAY YOU REST IN PEACE BOBBY FISCHER!!!!!!!!!
Fischers skill was outstanding, but as a man. HE MAKES ME SICK He was selfish, and chess was the only thing that mattered to him .Why miss him? He's been dead since 1972 as far as I'm concerned.
Bobby Fisher was a very great chess player and I think he's one of the best player in the world!
He's an inspiring player, but I am not really concerned about him dying. I will always remember the young, legendary, brilliant Fischer, not the grouchy old man he turned into. You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain :)
who the hell is Bobby Ficher?
Fischer is the best ever!
Bobby Fischer... he lives on in our minds. Of course, as Woody Allen said, "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve immortality through not dying. I don't want to live on in the hearts of my countrymen. I would rather live on in my apartment."
If you are going to remember the bad about Bobby Fischer, are you going to remember the bad about everyone?
You are also entitled to judge people. Personally, I would rather solve problems.
Bobby Fischer mania got me interested in chess, and the Najdorf Sicilian, which was not that common a defence before Bobby.
Bobby Fischer certainly had his bad side, but what he did for chess in general, and for professional chess players in particular regarding playing conditions, etc., merits the highest praise. I began playing chess due to his '72 match with Spassky, and I am a better person for it. It's too bad that he couldn't find some outside interests. They would have made him an even better chess player, I think, and could easily have softened some of the harshness he exhibited in other areas. I will not forget the bad side, but I will always remember the best of what he was, something for which I thank him. R.I.P Bobby.
rest in peace!!!
I agree with the point "Last option. Brilliant chess does not trump bigotry. "
He changed chess, not the world. He might have been a hateful person but I'm pretty sure nothing really came of his words. His chess on the other hand...
I'm not saying that it makes up for the things he said, but it certainly allows us to acnolage that he contributed something positive to the world.
I agree with sonny:
"Bobby Fischer was, for my own point of view, the greatest chess player of all time! He contributed a lot in revolutionizing the game! May he rest in peace."
Bobby Fischer's life took a very strange turn after defeating Spassky and it will no doubt be the subject of endless psychological analyses and debate. His impact on the world of chess, like his life, has a good side and a bad side. He gave us beautiful games which will endure forever. But he also brought big money into the chess world and I'm not sure that has been all positive - the combination of money, powerful chess engines, and hand-held electronics has led to a whole new set of problems.
I love his chess. I feel very sad about his later decline into dysfunction.
The guy is overrated... Kasparov would crush him!
Also, he was a gigantic racist...
He kindof reminds me of Mike Tyson.
good job
last option
Without Bobby Fisher, I wouldn't be playing chess!
Screw to hell what he said! He was an amazing player, and I don't give a shit what his racial views were!
Bobby Fischer's contribution to chess has been substantial, but his racism, arrogance and confused political views have poisoned any appreciation I could have had for him. The man who died was angry close minded individual, not a champion.
We should all remember Fischer not for his antics, but for his chess. Would we love Morphy's chess any less if we knew he owned slaves? Would we dislkike Kasparov's chess if we knew he was autistic? Would we look at Alekhine's games diffrently if we knew he was gay? I dont think what Fischer said or did has anything to do with chess. Does It?
Fischer can never be excused for his racist attitudes. Racism is not inherant in anyone but rather is a learned attitude/behavior. There is a point however, when one is old enough to decide for himself the merits of a racist attitude and at that point ongoing acceptance of it places one on a continuum starting at ignorance/fear on one end to mental illness on the other. Ultimately, I think racism in a thinking adult tends toward mental illness, and therefore a bit of compassion wouldn't hurt.
His chess playing speaks for itself.
i dont really care!!!
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