Came upon this very interesting, historic auction

Hi everyone --

This auction is from 2011 but I just stumbled onto it and thought I'd pass it along in case some others like me completely missed it.

It is the auction for the chess set used for the historic Game 3 of the 1972 World Championship between, of course, Fischer and Spassky. This was, as many well know, the first time Fischer ever beat Spassky and is also the game played off the main stage and in a back room ... and even under these demands by Fischer the game STILL almost didn't happen (lol)! It was also unsual in that Fischer used the Benoni but it turned the match around completely as he then took 6.5 of the next 8 points and had the match under control (as much as one can have a top-ranked championship under control) from then on out.

The pieces and board were presented to Guomundur Thorarinsson, the President of the Icelandic Chess Federation as a birthday present in 1972 (must rank among the best birthday gifts ever I'd say). It certainly has a gorgeous patina after 40-ish years and the board is signed by both Fischer and Thorarinsson. And just to clarify, the pieces were used in the match but the board was not.

I've listed links for both the pre-auction page and for a news story concerning the auction. They mention that the other set used for every other game in the match is on display in Iceland and will never come up for auction.

Also in the same day's auctions were some very personal letters from Fischer.

http://weissauctions.auctionflex.com/showlot.ap?co=6845&weid=0&weiid=5945855&archive=n&keyword=fischer&lso=timeleftasc&pagenum=1&lang=En

http://www.theweekinchess.com/chessnews/general/chess-set-used-in-fischers-first-ever-win-against-spassky-sold

It's funny that they have the board set up wrong.

Is there any information as to the design or manufacturer of the set?  I see the King is stamped.

Hey Jack... I do have a chess board exactly like that or like the one from the 1972 Fischer. Always wondered who made it? Took this pic today... 

They made a commemorative set:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-fischer-spassky-series-chess-set-3-75-inch-king.html

Wow, that must be worth a fourtune !

cornbeefhashvili wrote:

They made a commemorative set:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-fischer-spassky-series-chess-set-3-75-inch-king.html

Here's Another Pic Of Thickness-Not the same board at the link above...Still wonder who made mine or who manufactured this board back when... 

The set was manufactured by Jaques of London.

Don't know who made that particular board, but Italfama  has been been making this type of board w/ same thin frame for many years...

Thanx Frank... Sure would appreciate a link there...

http://www.jaqueslondon.co.uk/indoor-games/chess-sets.html

        Cebleb;  sorry to break your bubble but, its a chess set. Its not worth a fortune, maybe a couple of hundred bucks.

Holy man, probably worth more for colectors though. Some people would paye good money for that.