I think the issue here is that when you achieve the highest level possible, defending it becomes extremely stressful. So stressful, that quitting the sport becomes seemingly the best option.... Fischer did it, Morphy did it, and I suspect Carlsen will do it too one day...
What do you think of this old quote by Paul Morphy?
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Good point! When you're on top, everyone is gunning for you. If you hold the coveted title of being number one, there are going to be a long list of people trying to take that from you. I used to wonder why many chess players I liked had abruptly retired. After giving it consideration, I realized that holding on to a major title is exhausting work for those who hold it. Imagine the joy of becoming the best at something then having to maintain the level of play necessary to keep it. Stressful seems to be an understatement.
Well, that's something most (if not all of us) here will ever have to worry about!
batgirl wrote:
You look a bit like Bedford Forrest!
Close but no ceegar! Try "the Stonewall of the West."
batgirl wrote:
I knew you weren't Forrest, but you had that look. Are you Irish then?
No, I'm American! 
Most of my ancestors were from either the Emerald Isle or Deutschland.
Nov 1, 2011
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#29
Well, Cleburne was notably Irish, so I'm trying to determine the connection.
Really, nothing to do with the Irish but a lot to do with the Army of Tennessee.
Nov 1, 2011
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#31
Then why not Bragg, who had actually been accosted by NB Forrest, or Hood or the great Joe Johnston?
The only other western CS general I would consider in an avatar would be Forrest...I loathe Bragg, Hood (who would have been court martialed if the CSA hadn't folded), & Johnston (the best of a poor lot). My avatar must be someone (or something) I can respect.
We really need to return to the original subject. If you want to continue this line, why not PM me?
Nov 2, 2011
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#34
Well, Johnston was no RE Lee, but he was a pretty solid leader. Bragg made a great showing in the Mexican War, but might have been over his head in the Civil War. Hood was crazy but brave, resourceful but foolish.
Different chess players quit when they were on top for a variety of reason. In Morphy's case, it didn't seem to be any fear of losing his "title." Morphy never showed any fear of losing and generally gave in to every concession his opponents required. Morphy, like most players of that time, was an amateur and saw the title of amateur as a badge of honor. As an amateur, chess could not be a pursuit that occupied his attention except recreationally. His tour of Europe, where he won his "title," was an anomaly, frowned on by his family and ultimately an intellectual equivalent of sowing his wild oats. As such, retiring from competitve chess was his only option as a gentleman of his time since to continue as before would essentially have required him to devote more and more time to what he considered a pasttime. Unfortunately, Mophy learned he couldn't escape his reputation.
Fischer was a different case. One can put different spins on his reasons to abscond with his title. The spin one chooses to believe, I think generally corresponds with one's opinion of Fischer.
Well stated re: Morphy and delicately stated re: Fischer...both Bragg & Hood were suck-ups to Jeff Davis...Bragg was good at strategy but had no spine for fighting. Hood was an excellent Brigadier, but that was about it. Lee wasn't half bad, but he refused to learn from his mistakes & forgot all the lessons learned during the Mexican War. The best Virginia general actually wore blue!...fellow by the name of George H. Thomas. Basically everyone was "over their heads" in the ACW.
Thanks Javan64! I just gained some further knowledge about the Civil War. Since you seem to know quite a bit about the subject can you suggest a good single volume book about the Civil War? I'm looking for something that covers the war in a broad sense. Thanks!
Battle Cry of Freedom by James B. McPherson would probably be my 1st choice for a single volume history of the ACW, although my personal favorite is Shelby Foote's amazing trilogy (plus, I could listen to that man talk all day long--he had such a wonderful accent).
this is a picture of old bobby fischer, not even morphy!
Well, I'm glad that I don't have the ability to play chess well - lol!
Being from Louisiana, I have a special fondness for Morphy however: IMHO, Morphy and Fischer were nothing alike as for as their paths. Morphy never seemed to want or even care for the fame his enormous Chess strength brought. Time and time again he had to be persuaded to play. Beginning in the NY Chess Congress of 1857, and of course going to Europe. He always seemed to attach little importance to the adulation earned by his skill in the game. Well before the Stanton match he seemed to distance himself from the game. The book by Edge talks about this and importantly how Edge had to persuade Morphy the match with Andersen needed to happy to cement his reputation. Even then Morphy was determined to be home before the new year. Edge had to resort to trickery by getting a Dr to deem him unfit for travel to keep the match on. Mental illness had nothing to do with him abandonment of the game and that should be obvious to anyone who read Lawson's or Edges account.
However, in a Feb. 4, 1863 letter he wrote from Paris to Willard Fiske, Morphy, said:
Besides, you will remember that as far back as two years ago I stated to you in New York my firm determination to abandon chess altogether. I am more strongly confirmed than ever in the belief that the time devoted to chess is literally frittered away. It is, to be sure, a most exhilarating sport, but it is only a sport; and it is not to be wondered at that such as have been passionately addicted to the charming pastime should one day ask themselves whether sober reason does not advise its utter dereliction. I have, for my own part, resolved not to be moved from my purpose of not engaging in chess hereafter.