Originally posted by Chufty JonesThere's a video clip of Korchnoi be very childish after losing to one of the Polgar sisters.
I am doing a short talk on the childish behaviour of grandmasters next week and was wondering if anyone could post me their favourite stories and the tournaments they are from?
Cheers
Chufty
He wasn't a grandmaster at the time, but this story about David Howell caught my attention when it happened mostly because it was kept so firmly under wraps, even now it is very hard to find any information about it:
English chess prodigy David Howell punched the organiser of the "Inaugural European Union Chess Championships" when it turned out that he (David Howell) hadn't played well enough to win a prize. The assault happened after the extremely pleasant and good natured prize giving when Howell found out that titled players weren't eligible for junior prizes
Originally posted by clarencecuasayI think Fischer's whole life counts.
Does Fischer's complaints during the 1972 World Championship count? I'm talking about little things he had issues with like the wood finish on the chess board, the lighting of the stage, the coughing from the crowd, etc.
Originally posted by clarencecuasayI think the Russian complaints count too, didn't they rip open Spassky's chair to look for a device that was "inhibiting his play"?
Does Fischer's complaints during the 1972 World Championship count? I'm talking about little things he had issues with like the wood finish on the chess board, the lighting of the stage, the coughing from the crowd, etc.
Originally posted by Ian709Fischer kept leaving his chair to go for a strole & Spassky's team were convinced he had an electronic device in Fischer's chair. Pointed at Boris said device was turned on when Bobby got up, whereby it directed energy beams at Spassky's head (he said he felt unwell during the match & it was hard to concentrate) & was turned off when Bobby sat back down.
I think the Russian complaints count too, didn't they rip open Spassky's chair to look for a device that was "inhibiting his play"?
This was discussed in a documentary on the 1972 WC.
Not a tantrum, but a childish joke - this story made me laugh:
In one of the games Staunton made a sacrifice whereby he expected to win; but Harrwitz retorted by also sacrificing a piece, and the result was that the Prussian emerged from the scrimmage with a superior game and a pawn ahead.
Somewhat chagrined at his discomfiture, Staunton muttered - "Dear me, dear me, I have lost a pawn!" in a voice and with an accent that indicated rather anger towards his opponent for his clever maneuver than blame towards himself for his faulty combination.
When he had repeated those words, "I have lost a pawn", several times, Harrwitz rang the bell sharply, and, upon the waiter appearing, he exclaimed -
"William, will you kindly look about the floor for a pawn. Mr. Staunton has just lost one."