Good article.
Everytime I hear/read something about Bobby I think of wasted talent.
He is quite possibly the greatest player to ever play the game. Yet because of him residing on the lunatic fringe the world will never know.
There will only be speculation on how great he could have actually been had he played nice.
But anybody with any sense knows the man was the best ever. =)
Fischer was and is "out there;" there's no doubt about it. But what drove him to that state? One could argue that he was always a bit unbalanced, and that perhaps the rigors of being the best got to him. He was a private person by nature; reclusive even. So, to be thrust into the international limelight wasn't his cup of tea.
As the years went by, he said and did things that any reasonably moral person would scoff at. He is seen as a hate monger by many, and basically out of his gord. But his chess career is undisputable. He did things that haven't been repeated since. Beating Taimonov
6-0 (amazing), making Petrosian look like a patzer in the park, astonishing. Like the article said, even the Russians knew he was their bane. So, you may not like Fischer as a person (based on what I have read, I don't), but he was the best player of his time.
Any stuff i read about Fischer seems to show several things about him.
1. his incessant movement, fidgety nervousness, hyper, whatever you wanna call it.
2. enormous appetite for a variety of food
3. unusual waking/sleeping regimen
4. shifting of obsessions: first far-right American, then cult oriented born-again Christian,
then anti-authoritarian radical
5. secretive
A little like Howard Hughes. I'm not a psychologist, so i don't know what you'd call it, if anything. I've never read a psychiatrist analyze his symptoms. To say he's just crazy doesn't help explain anything.
When I first started playing chess (only fairly recently), my friend gave me three books - one of them is the Complete Games of Bobby Fischer, listing every single major game he ever played. So far I've only looked at three or four (and only the openings even), but I'm starting to see why my friend speaks so highly of him.
Originally posted by ParanoidAndroidYes, there are many great players, many extraordinary players, but out of all of them, i have confidence in saying that none of them ever created lines so fashionably as fischer. he really was and probably still is somethin else. i bet after all those years of seclusion, he had to of learned a lot more than anyone ever to pick up a piece.
When I first started playing chess (only fairly recently), my friend gave me three books - one of them is the Complete Games of Bobby Fischer, listing every single major game he ever played. So far I've only looked at three or four (and only the openings even), but I'm starting to see why my friend speaks so highly of him.
Originally posted by CameronUnderGradFisher put the fashion and celebrity into chess like no other player before or after him.
Yes, there are many great players, many extraordinary players, but out of all of them, i have confidence in saying that none of them ever created lines so fashionably as fischer. he really was and probably still is somethin else. i bet after all those years of seclusion, he had to of learned a lot more than anyone ever to pick up a piece.
Originally posted by buddy2its called asperger's syndrome.. try googleing it, fischer has alot of the traits.. some people think he has it..
Any stuff i read about Fischer seems to show several things about him.
1. his incessant movement, fidgety nervousness, hyper, whatever you wanna call it.
2. enormous appetite for a variety of food
3. unusual waking/sleeping regimen
4. shifting of obsessions: first far-right American, then cult oriented born-again Christian,
then anti-authori ...[text shortened]... psychiatrist analyze his symptoms. To say he's just crazy doesn't help explain anything.
Asperger Syndrome or (Asperger's Disorder) is a neurobiological disorder named for a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, who in 1944 published a paper which described a pattern of behaviors in several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development, but who also exhibited autistic-like behaviors and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills. In spite of the publication of his paper in the 1940's, it wasn't until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was added to the DSM IV and only in the past few years has AS been recognized by professionals and parents.
Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".
By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and their naiveté, those with AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. While language development seems, on the surface, normal, individuals with AS often have deficits in pragmatics and prosody. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little professors." However, persons with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.
At this time there is a great deal of debate as to exactly where AS fits. It is presently described as an autism spectrum disorder and Uta Frith, in her book AUTISM AND ASPERGER'S SYNDROME, described AS individuals as "having a dash of Autism". Some professionals feel that AS is the same as High Functioning Autism, while others feel that it is better described as a Nonverbal Learning Disability. AS shares many of the characteristics of PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder; Not otherwise specified), HFA, and NLD and because it was virtually unknown until a few years ago, many individuals either received an incorrect diagnosis or remained undiagnosed. For example, it is not at all uncommon for a child who was initially diagnosed with ADD or ADHD be re-diagnosed with AS. In addition, some individuals who were originally diagnosed with HFA or PDD-NOS are now being given the AS diagnosis and many individuals have a dual diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism.
Originally posted by pawntorook4That certainly sounds like him. Of course, all of us display some form or other of abnormality. Being "normal" seems to be a myth.
its called asperger's syndrome.. try googleing it, fischer has alot of the traits.. some people think he has it..
Asperger Syndrome or (Asperger's Disorder) is a neurobiological disorder named for a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger
From what I read Fischer lived and breathed chess.. he was practically obsessed with it. Yet at one point after he disappeared (the first time) he moved to Japan where chess is relatively unknown. He probably made up his made then that he had no more interest in being the best. I mean, if you want to stay in top chess form, Japan would be the last place you'd want to go. I think the closest GM in that sector of the globe was E Torre who lived in the Philippines.
And when he did return to fight Spassky in '92, people analyzing his game play felt he didn't play as strong as he used to. I think one GM said he played like a 2200 level player. That's quite a drop. All those years out of major competition makes you lose a little something.
Sorry if this is old news but about 2 weeks ago Fischer called a tv station in Iceland and gave a winning combination after the loser resigned. The combination was pretty much all forced but the phone call showed he has still has some interest in the game.
About a year ago I saw a story about a movie based on the 1972 championship match. Haven't heard anything since.
Originally posted by buffalobillIf you go over that description, you will see alot of Fischer traits.
That certainly sounds like him. Of course, all of us display some form or other of abnormality. Being "normal" seems to be a myth.
its called asperger's syndrome.. try googleing it, fischer has alot of the traits.. some people think he has it.
Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest.
Obviously, Fischer was obsessed with chess. Today it is the "Jewish Conspiracy". And he was never good in social situations.
Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see.
Fischer complained about the lights and the cameras in Iceland.
By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area.
Again, Chess.
Originally posted by CrazyLilTingAre people sure "Bobby Fischer" called this in?
Hmmm... not too sure...
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3546
P.S.: BTW, excellent article. I'm going just now to drink a huge glass of fresh orange juice... 😉
Because my engine saw this combination and anybody with a computer and a good chess program that was following the game could have also.
It seems similar to that Guest71 on ICC. Bobby Fischer is like some bogey man.