If Fischer would played Karpov for the World Champion, who would win?

I see. Earning money by writing good chess books, and having a chess column in a chess magazine, like "New in Chess" doesn't give you any money? What do you think Jan Timman and Karpov, among many other (mostly former) chess players, are doing these days? Living on charity?

Do you know what a writer is? Someone begging in the streets?

As to Karpov, he was extremely well-connected in the USSR. Back in the day, only three people had a Mercedes: Brezhnev (the head of the state), Vladimir Vysotsky (a popular singer, who wrote a few songs about chess), and, you guess it... Karpov. After the USSR collapsed he used his connections and some savings from his matches to amass an even greater wealth. He is rumored to be a dollar billionaire right now. But, you know how things are in Russia. Most of the smart ones don't really display their wealth publicly too much. So, while the true extent of Karpov's wealth is unknown, he is rather wealthy. And, by that measure alone, he's the richest chessplayer ever. Probably, speaking in practical terms, the most normal and sane one too. 

 You are not crazy, of course not! As for the gun tread you are referring to: I have't read that thread; only 'dipped' in it sometimes. 

Bobby Fischer didn't liked the way the US people had treated the native Americans; by 'exterminating' them. You know perhaps,that a certain corpral in Europe took that 'treatment' of the Indians as a 'model' for doing the same thing against other people? 

Poor Fischer! He must have felt like a fish without water around him 

I think that word doesn't mean what you think it means.

How can anyone say, Bobby Fischer would become 'saner', if someone had 'talked' him out of his mental issues? Just like that? The doctors would have given him mind-altering drugs. That would have killed his creative powers. 'What may be good in some way, it could also mean becoming much worse in another'.

Believe it or not, Karpov also spoke his mind sometimes, albeit rarely. All his life he was as diplomatic as possible. However, when he achieved a certain position of strength, he took off that diplomatic mask. But even then, when he was talking against some people, he was smart enough not to talk against anybody "above his paygrade."

http://en.chessbase.com/post/anatoly-karpov-speaks-his-mind

Well, what are we 'all' doing in an ordinary work place? Being outspoken to those above your paygrade? Good luck!! 

"Workplaces are run like dictatorships."

LIVAT01

of course fisher would win

A few of Fischer’s Success Formula include:

1) Study:
“From early on, he buttressed his penchant for original thinking with monumental study, and he became known for his mastery of the game’s literature. “Practice! Study! Talent!” was his formula for success. In a short time he would become incomparable at all phases of chess, from openings to endgames.”  

Fischer formula for success was pure talent plus hard work; anyone with determination plus hard work can succeed in any endeavor. Fischer had three goals to be famous, make a good living in chess and become world champion; he put all his energy to his goals and eventually accomplish what he set to do. Very few people have this determination in life to accomplish the impossible and that is what Fischer did.

  "I was never invited to the White House. They invited that Olympic Russian gymnast - that little Communist, Olga Korbut.”

lIFE IS NOT FAIR! BTS SHE IS BEAUTY.

I watched a great doco about Bobby Fischer it seems in spite of his genius on the chessboard he was quite a mediocrity as a person who exhibited just about everything that was unlikeable in a person .In his final years he was so lucky to find haven in Iceland but he himself was far from appreciative from his viewpoint it was merely his due. And didn't he come out with the nastiest diatribes.That was Bobby..But wow he may well be the greatest player of all time ,I think he could have beaten Karpov,it would have been great ,alas it was not to be.

Postscript: In chess, like in so many other fields, there is a tomorrow. If you don't show up, you have lost.  

Fischer didn't understood this; and therefore he will only be regarded as one of the greatest. If he had played against Karpov and won, things would have been very different. But, as so many others have pointed out, he was very 'lucky' to win in 1972. Spassky's nerves crack early. When confronting a possible encounter with Karpov, Fischer's nerves crack instead. So, in 1972, two great chessplayers became 'mortally' wounded. Fischer more than Spassky. And Karpov stepped in and became the 'greatest player' ever, or something like it.

Karpov's best rating is still less than Fischer's best rating even though Karpov continued playing for decades after Fischer quit ... nuff said . 

In an encounter Fischer vs Karpov, Fischer could have gone the same way as Spassky; cracking his nerves and becoming an easy prey for Karpov. And Karpov would have won due to this, among other things.

I hope your crystal ball's rating is twice yours.

Reb, while you are correct about official ratings that were published every six months, Karpov's highest live rating did eclipse Fischer's best:

http://www.2700chess.com/

Are you saying Fischer's nerves were first-class? He almost went 'bananas' before the 1st game against Spassky!

Fischer had a really hard time getting to the board. But once there, he was brilliant. His chess was calm and objective, a stark contrast to the rest of his life. 

Yes. In 1972, he barely (with a whisper) got to the board against Spassky. After that, he never could. Except in 1992  So, 'the rest of his life demons', finally took possession of his chess talent too. And the contrast to the rest of his life was gone. Like a black hole.