Why do Americans like Bobby Fischer?

 Fischer might have been more sane than the rest of us. Remember, he became the best, the World's Champion, in his chosen field! Dr. C. G. Jung writes, "Attainment of the human goal, an idividual who is conscious of his own peculiar nature, is really the individual's task to differentitate himself from all the others and stand on his own feet. He will go alone and be his own company. He will serve as his own group, consisting of a variety of opinions and tendencies, which need not necessarily be marching in the same direction. In fact, he will be at odds with himself, and will find great difficulty in uniting his own multiplicity for purposes of common action". Isn't that what Fischer did? He stepped away from the "group mentality", that society encourages us to be involved in, and followed his own path. Society then frowns upon that type of individual for not "marching in order" with the remaining masses. Thus the remarks about mental illness, insanity, etc. I offer this as some "food for thought".

LOL. I'm being censored! I thought the policy was chess.com isn't responsible for anything minors might see on the site, that if parents care about that they have to monitor their minors use of the site? well ok. I'll watch my language big brother of chess.com.

yeah right, because suggesting governments do messed up stuff sometimes is equivalent to believing in reptilian shape shifting conspiracy theories. why are people so naive? people actually think governments are infallible institutions run by little angels strumming golden harps of morality and love and don't ever do anything unethical? right.

worthless!!!! comments for fischer?????  He is the best ever chess player in the history!!!... Mental problem affect players that's common. But in Bobby's case, american government made a trap and played a selfish game. Don't blame bobby,

If u want to become No:1 in any sport........ u should loose everything to achieve.

That's what bobby did!!! surprisingly!! he lost control on him.... I am die hard fan of chess God bobby...... may soul rest in peace.

 Probably many prostitutes would be better leaders of the chess world than the ones we have now.

The further one looks into chess history the clearer it is that there was no shortage of "crazy" chess players and many of them were brilliant players as well.

I'm going to step in here to say that genius doesn't require malevolent, ungrateful conduct. I've met many gracious, kind grandmasters, like for instance- Arthur Bisgueier- who, even though they play world-class chess, don't feel released from the rules of civility. Just because somebody knows a jerk who has become a world champion doesn't mean a jerk is a better chessplayer.

Not saying that at all...just pointing out the reality of mental aberration among the Grandmasters...Fischer leads the list but he's not alone...Capablanca, Rubenstein, Alekhine, Steinitz...pretty hefty assortment of genuinely deranged individuals...and they're not alone, not by a long shot...take a look back over the decades and there was no shortage of looney tunes pushing wood.

these comments are the most ridiculous pieces of verbiage that I have ever read. oh yes, fischer need a deranged demented wife to abuse him. Yes!!!! that's the answer to everything! right! oh my god! genius! are you kidding me? 

yeah they probably characterized him that way because he knew something they would rather he not know. you know misdiagnosing someone as mentally ill would be a very effective way of discrediting the person and everything they say. think about it. though I think it's clear he was driven a little off the deep end because of harassment from his own government, I don't think he would have been nearly as crazy if they just left him the eff alone.

Don't forget Kasparov.. any adult that doesn't acknowledge the brilliant talents of a kid just because he didn't beat him is a jerk (Magnus when he was 13 drawing the game against Kasparov who was no.1 in the world at the time - 1st match they ever played) 

you know what, all those people you just mentioned were probably in reality just merely eccentric, not "deranged individuals". and because of their being this way, society abused them and drove them off the deep end. not for nothing but I rather have those guys for dinner rather than any of the psychotic pop stars, or power crazed people that continually just eff things up for everyone, including themselves.

There is a big difference between being eccentric and being mad/insane.

Eccentric people can  be the most interesting people to talk to sometimes, and some might see them as 'crazy' because they have some strange habits.  

much madness is divinest sense.

Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who couldn't hear the music

Insanity...a perfect response to an insane world

nice!

Paul Morphy while only in his twenties, descended into a state of paranoia and depression, and became a recluse. He was seen occasionally wandering the streets of New Orleans muttering to himself in French. At the age of 47, he was found dead in a bathtub, surrounded by women's shoes.

Wilhelm Steinitz became convinced at the end of his life that he could beat God, even if the Lord was granted a pawn and a move head start.

Akiba Rubinstein was certain that other players were out to poison him, he lived in an asylum.

Aha! The shoes did it!