Bobby Fischer believed he could name the rules for defending his title and assumed those rules would be acknowledged and accepted. As reigning champion and number one in the world he assumed it was his privilege to have his requests met. When he found out otherwise, out of principle to his own idea of what was right, he refused to play the match. He felt entitled and would not compromise or accept any other outcome than what he expected and imposed. It was either his way or NO way. Period.
There wasn't fear of losing as a motivation for not playing. That idea is absurd and ridiculous. And even though he loved the big paycheck, the prize money was not enough to induce him to go against his own principle.
So why did he never contest another tournament? Or even suggest that he was available to do so?
What "principle" could possibly mean he should never play again in competition?
Good questions.
Bobby seems to have become somewhat disillusioned with the structure of chess competitions, and he began searching for something more meaningful than a board game. He became more involved in some type of a religious cult. His life sort of took a "left turn" and he drifted away from chess.
Bobby Fischer believed he could name the rules for defending his title and assumed those rules would be acknowledged and accepted. As reigning champion and number one in the world he assumed it was his privilege to have his requests met. When he found out otherwise, out of principle to his own idea of what was right, he refused to play the match. He felt entitled and would not compromise or accept any other outcome than what he expected and imposed. It was either his way or NO way. Period.
There wasn't fear of losing as a motivation for not playing. That idea is absurd and ridiculous. And even though he loved the big paycheck, the prize money was not enough to induce him to go against his own principle.