Why did Bobby Fischer quitted chess?
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Siddhuqui
Oct 17, 2025
0
#1
Many people think that Bobby quitted chess for reasons like being afraid of Anatoly Karpov or other ridiculous excuses. But the truth is there in Bobby's quote that he was increasingly paranoid and didn't play in any events. It wasn't until he had his rematch with Spassky in 1992 as he played in public.
Oct 17, 2025
0
#2
My opinion had always been this. Imagine being focused on one thing in life that nothing else was important. You feel your entire existence was to bring down the Russian chess machine. You defeat the best they have to offer and win the title. You wake up the next day and ask yourself: "Whats next?". You're 32 years old and have nothing else to live for. That would drive anyone over the edge.
Bobby Fischer probably stopped playing competitive chess because he didn't have anything left to prove to himself & others. I think he only came back to play in 1992 for $.
Oct 23, 2025
0
#4
He stopped because he hated the way chess was 99.99% patterns. Is that right? I don’t know, but if not it must be one of his reasons.
TetrisFrolfChess wrote:
Bobby Fischer probably stopped playing competitive chess because he didn't have anything left to prove to himself & others.
Getting the title once is very far away from "nothing left to prove".
Perhaps you're right, magipi. Kasparov & Carlsen showed the world what it means to defend their title, proving to themselves & others to be extraordinary. Fischer could've been afraid Karpov would win. He could've realized he was beginning to decline at chess. He could've realized he was hating chess & needed something else to do with his life. I can only speculate.