In recent articles circulating the internet and from news sources such as this one, facts are coming out detailing Bobby Fischer's recent challenges to the current World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand, and former World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov.
According to the various sources, Fischer tried to set up various matches of chess 960 (Fischer Random Chess) in India against Anand, along with other attempts to face off against Garry Kasparov. Both challenges were met with supposed "interest" from Anand and Kasparov, however, both players claimed that scheduling issues stopped them from participating. It is unclear what scheduling problems Anand had, but Kasparov at the time was embroiled in political workings in the former Soviet Union.
Regardless of what happened, it is clear that Fischer was prepared to stand up against these two renowned chess icons and face them on the chess board. His challenge was never answered, unfortunately. Nonetheless, Fischer had the courage to face the world's current champion in a tournament setting, and knowing Fischer he was probably very prepared to notch one last notable victory on his belt.
Just as there are 64 squares on a chess board, so also is there 64 years of Fischer's life for many generations to come to explore and look at with wonder and curiosity. Poetic justice - no question about it.
Rest in peace Bobby - you will be missed.
1 comment:
Can't say RIP for the man who was probably to chess what Ty Cobb was to baseball-- for a time, the best there was.
But also a miserable, tortured human being.
We can't help who impacts our lives, and when those that did pass on, I guess it's reasonable to reflect.
I had a lot of fun that summer of '72; a lot of Americans did. It opened a new world to many of us, and it loomed large as a bloodless Cold War victory until it was surpassed by the "Miracle On Ice" in 1980.
I thought the tone of "Searching For Bobby Fischer", a really nice movie, hit it about right-- Fischer after 1972 was so despicable, but so clearly mentally ill, that it was just....sad.
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