Originally posted by BigDoggProblemHe reached the top then found himself deathly scared of heights!
If god wanted Fischer to play chess, he sure must have been disappointed in 1975. I would love not to focus on his looney behavior, but it destroyed the guy's career, so it's hard not to talk about it. I would much rather be talking about Fischer's legacy as world champion, but unfortunately he never played a game as champion. (And no, 1992 doesn't count).
Originally posted by UmbrageOfSnowAnd he was a world champ AND he gave Botvinnik an immediate
Let's focus on Tal instead. Not only was he a great chess player, he also had a sense of humor and was generally a nice guy.
rematch which not many people would in his situation, but would
like to bask in glory for a few years and hope Botvinnik would
wither away, all in all as far as geniuses go, Tal gets my vote.
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemi think fischer just wants to feel secure. this is due to his past growing up poor due to only one parent that had to support two kids. this also caused his "myself" personality which he feels he is alone and everything he earns, he has done himself with no one to help him. in addition i think he is afraid of being controlled(another reason he hated the russians), this has shown in his demands throughout his life: amounts he demanded for tournaments and appearences(this is both financially secured and mentally), his hate of the russians(picture of what he didnt want to become), etc... he has always been alone, this has been his greatest ally(not having to desert him or let him down, he could only blame himself) but also his greatest enemy(not having "true" friends to help him through troubles). the things he says are just words that he uses to push others away. this is also true for his odd behavior, it is very random. but one thing is known, he has always fought with determination, this determination which has made him who he is. lets not remember fischer as an odd, difficult, demanding guy. lets remember him as one of the great chess players who has ever lived, one who's heart for the game was undying, who's willingness for being the best was unparalled. i hope one day he will come back and play again.
[b]He almost threw away hundreds of thousands in the Iceland match with Spassky.
Yet it was an offer of 50,000 pounds by British businessman James D. Slater that finally convinced him to show up. He also made match negotiations very difficult by demanding a cut of any revenue made by TV coverage. (Source: Fischer V Spassky by C.H.O'D Al ...[text shortened]... intelligence outside of chess. (source: "Evans on Chess" in the latest Chess Life)
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Originally posted by fischer777There are three memorable and historic cold war sporting events.
i think fischer just wants to feel secure. this is due to his past growing up poor due to only one parent that had to support two kids. this also caused his "myself" personality which he feels he is alone and everything he earns, he has done himself with no one to help him. in addition i think he is afraid of being controlled(another reason he hated the ...[text shortened]... willingness for being the best was unparalled. i hope one day he will come back and play again.
US victory vs soviets in olympic hockey.
Soviet controversial victory over US in olympic basketball.
Fischer's championship victory over Spassky.
Originally posted by fischer777His heart for the game died after 1972. He once was best in the world, but is now a shadow of his former self, and he reduces his legacy further every time he opens his mouth.
lets remember him as one of the great chess players who has ever lived, one who's heart for the game was undying, who's willingness for being the best was unparalled. i hope one day he will come back and play again.
I remain a great admirer of his games, but I find Fischer repulsive as a person. It's fair to remember him for both his strengths and his weaknesses.
That is my point. Like Van Gogh, we don't have to appreciate all of Fischer's lunatic fringes. However, we can appreciate the fact he propelled chess into greater popularity, greatly expanded on chess theory (particularly the Sicilian Najdorf poison pawn), and and increased prize money for professional chess players. That is my point.
Originally posted by powershakerfish-er's a piece a sh-t who loved what happened on 9/11/01
I can't believe how you people can talk so badly about Bobby Fischer. After all the contributions that World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer has contributed to chess and our lives, you still judge him on every level other than chess. Get a grip! When God sent Fischer to planet Earth, he didn't want him to become the most likeable human being who ever e ...[text shortened]... you're going to judge Fischer, judge him on his chess. You don't sleep with him every night.