I can't mourn the death of a man who delighted ("this is the happiest day of my life...f*** america"...and so on) in the death of thousands people during september 11 th 2001 even though this man was a chess prodigy.
Morality does matter more than chess skills but thats just my opinion and you are free to strongly disagree with me.
Originally posted by HFRorbisI won't be mourning him either, but I also don't see it as moral to dance on his grave(I'm not accusing you of doing so - just to make that clear).
I can't mourn the death of a man who delighted ("this is the happiest day of my life...f*** america"...and so on) in the death of thousands people during september 11 th 2001 even though this man was a chess prodigy.
Morality does matter more than chess skills but thats just my opinion and you are free to strongly disagree with me.
His contributions to chess ended a long time ago. He was a genius in chess, but little else.
It still is possible to learn from and respect his ability at chess and also revile the man and what he stood for outside of chess.
If a person studies a game of chess and is struck by an unimaginable beauty, elegant efficiency, amazing subtleties of strategic positionings, and breathtaking tactical combinations, the sense of some spiritual presence is felt, not unlike hearing Handel's Messiah, or the Mozart Requiem, or reading a passage of great literature. Diving in deeper, examining at the master level (maybe by reading a master's analysis of the game, or work of art, or scientific theory), only deepens appreciation. This was the presence of genius. the study may go on for centuries, and someday, milennia, still uncovering depths of genius that only the prime player/creator/author/artist knew, or somehow, even without knowing, created, or implemented, or acted on, or whatever he or she did. it was genius. that is the experience of playing through and studying a BF game.
Bobby Fischer's life was tragic. If we apply social values and diplomacy and rational behavior standards to his life. We find tragedy and a waste of genius. This is true, however, if we apply those same principles to many other geniuses. Richard Wagner comes to mind instantly. An endless list could be made.
I suggest that we honor the games and the mind that made the moves and that we let the human that he was rest in peace.
The best chess player. He almost single-handedly stood up against the Soviet 'draw-machine' and inspired countless thousands of players in the West to study the game.
Additionally, he was the rare breed of player to announce his opening as white, before the game began! (P-K4)
I followed every move of the 1972 match against against Spassky... he also taught many of us to play the opponent rather than the board at times!
RIP
I admired him for the fact that he proved that an idiosyncratic American could top the best the snooty Europeans and the Soviet hive/colony could churn out. He defeated them all on his route to the world championship in 1972: Mark Taimanov, 6-0; Bent Larsen, 6-0; Tigran Petrosian, 6.5-2.5; and finally, Boris Spassky, 12.5-8.5. R.I.P. Bobby Fischer -- you deserve your place with the chess immortals: Morphy, Steinitz, Alekhine, etc.
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterHis 6-0 scores against Taimanov and Larsen show just how amazing he was. Nobody can match that...
I admired him for the fact that he proved that an idiosyncratic American could top the best the snooty Europeans and the Soviet hive/colony could churn out. He defeated them all on his route to the world championship in 1972: Mark Taimanov, 6-0; Bent Larsen, 6-0; Tigran Petrosian, 6.5-2.5; and finally, Boris Spassky, 12.5-8.5. R.I.P. Bobby Fischer -- you deserve your place with the chess immortals: Morphy, Steinitz, Alekhine, etc.
Originally posted by cmsMasterFischer finished the candidates with 7 straight wins.
His 6-0 scores against Taimanov and Larsen show just how amazing he was. Nobody can match that...
He then rolled over Tamainov and Larsen in 12 straight.
He then won the first game versus Petrosian...running his conecutive win streak to 20 games.
The Pats accomplishments seem insignificant by comparison.
Originally posted by coquetteWonderfully expressed, thank you.
If a person studies a game of chess and is struck by an unimaginable beauty, elegant efficiency, amazing subtleties of strategic positionings, and breathtaking tactical combinations, the sense of some spiritual presence is felt, not unlike hearing Handel's Messiah, or the Mozart Requiem, or reading a passage of great literature. Diving in deeper, examining ...[text shortened]... e games and the mind that made the moves and that we let the human that he was rest in peace.
Originally posted by English TalHowever he refused to play against Karpov to defend his title.
The best chess player. He almost single-handedly stood up against the Soviet 'draw-machine' and inspired countless thousands of players in the West to study the game.
Additionally, he was the rare breed of player to announce his opening as white, before the game began! (P-K4)
I followed every move of the 1972 match against against Spassky... he also taught many of us to play the opponent rather than the board at times!
RIP
Karpov was stronger than Fischer's opponents ( Taimanov , Petrosian , Larsen , Tal , Spassky ) and it would have been more difficult to win against him
maybe Karpov could have won against Fischer who knows..thats the reason why I think that Fischer felt than he could be beaten by him and prefered to claim fake reasons to avoid Karpov.
Originally posted by Dragon FireNor did he have a team of GMs like the Russians had.
Only 64! Too young to die!
Bobby was insane but if he had carried on playing I am sure he would have proven himself the better of our current crop of super GMs and Bobby didn't have a super computer to help him analyse.
Here is part one of a documentary (about 45 minutes) on his match V spassky, great program and a fitting time to relive his genius on the board and his loathsome character in every other aspect.
RIP
(Just click on the users profile for the other parts or they should be in the list on the right)