Fischer vs Karpov

You contradict yourself. You say that it is the champion who must be the one that does the ducking, yet you include the fact that Karpov was champion, and say Fischer ducked him.

I think both persons wanted the matches their way, and neither could come to an agreement.

Not contradicting...just making the point that Karpov as champion did not duck whereas Fischer did, that's all

after all how could a challenger possibly duck a champion...if he wants to challenge for the title there is noone else he could play to win it

If that's not contradicting, then how did Fischer duck Karpov when Karpov was champion?

Thank you everyone for your insightful and passionate responses to this this post. I have read all of them and have learned a great deal.

because i just said that by definition a challenger cannot duck a champion because there is noone else to play for the title...if a challenger could duck a champion then he ceases to be a challenger in the first place

good point though...Fischer was still insisting he was the world champion even in 1992 in the return match with Spassky...and Karpov must have desperately wanted to justify his title at least in the public's eye if not his own

Ducking can be done by either side. So again, it becomes a question of who ducked whom, and is each persons' opinions on it.

anyway...I believe due to Fischer's layoff since '72 and Karpov's convincing performance in the candidates process...Karpov would have won in a close match...had he faced Bobby in 1972 or earlier maybe not so lucky

Carlsen has a phenomenal record and a super human rating but has never been world champion or even participated in candidates process...so I don't put him in Fischer's class just yet...Kasparov and Karpov however I have no problem placing there

lol iswydt 

"Carlsen has a phenomenal record and a superhuman rating but has never been world champion or even participated in candidates process...so I don't put him in Fischer's class just yet...Kasparov and Karpov however I have no problem placing there"

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Carlsen actually participated in The Candidates Tournament for the 2007 WCC. He was paired with Aronian who won both tiebreak blitz games.

Sparsky and Dutch!?  (Bonus for one who knows the reference)

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Karpov is the twentieth century's Steinitz, in that he will always be seen as chasing Fischer's ghost, and no matter how many tournaments he won, or who he beat in matches, he'll most be remembered for the match that was never played, and the match that was never finished.  And, though I'm no real fan of Karpov, I have to admit that Karpov's record compares favorably to anyone, anytime--he fully earned the legend attached to his name.

I stand corrected about Carlsen's candidate experience...thanks for the info jesterville. Was that the tournament that Topalov won?

people are talking about how Fischer walke

people talking about Fischer walking away from the match but that is assessment of his person rather than his playing ability I think that you must compare their peak dominance and that is why I consider Fischer the greatest of all time

just for  one second picture Fischer playing karpov and getting nowhere...in fact losing one after an other...now picture what bs he would have pulled..like karpov poisened  him, and some amusing conspiracy theories how karpov planted a bug in his wisdom tooth e.t.c.  kingofthelivingdead i totally agree what you say...and absolutely believe what kasparov says in his book who is by the way up to this date is the best chess player of all time..i do not care for rating as an indicator whos the best,but i think magnus carlsen is undoubtly amazing and currently the strongest player with uniqe style and thx for Kasparov now better understands complex positions...karpov actually taught- without knowing it- kasparov in there first title match where kasparov was down 5:0 and came back after indirect lessons from karpov how to play rock solid and not playing for traps and tricks that backfires....now!!! this just indicates what would have happend to Fischer playing Karpov had they played Fischer by the way studied chess and chess only for most of his day .Carlsen is playing as #1 with half effort in studying chess....

In 1975 I think it was a safe bet Fischer would have won. In 1978 maybe 55%-45% for Fischer (the same as it was for Karpov vs Korchnoi). After '78, Karpov.