Recently, I came across some interesting revelations about the Bobby Fischer-Boris Spassky World Championship Chess Match. September 2022 marked 50 years since Fischer was crowned the 11th World Chess Champion at Reykjavik, Iceland, by defeating Russia’s Spassky. The final score was 12.5 to 8.5 points. Fischer died in Iceland in 2008 at age 64, the exact number of squares of the chess board. His legend lives on, and to this day, he remains one of the most popular chess players who ever lived.
The 13th World Champion Garry Kasparov wrote about Fischer in his book “My Great Predecessors Part 4”. He said in an excerpt: “The FIDE President crowned him (Fischer) with a laurel wreath made out of Icelandic silver birch leaves. And here before the eyes of 2,000 guests there occurred an episode which, in my view, reveals Fischer better than any words.
After handing him the envelope with the check Euwe (FIDE President) held out his hand for a handshake. But Fischer is in no hurry. He opens the envelope and carefully studies the check. Euwe’s hand remains suspended in mid-air. Finally after satisfying himself that everything is in order, he carefully folds the check and puts it in the inside pocket of his jacket. After this, having shaken the President’s hand, he quickly returns to his table. Here he silently tucks into a steak, but firmly rejects a glass of wine. On the stage, in the meantime, speeches in honour of the new champion are being made. After finishing his meal, Fischer looks around absentmindedly. Suddenly his gaze brightens and he fishes for something in the inside pocket of his jacket. Surely he isn’t going to verify the check again? No. He extracts his pocket set, sets up some position and, oblivious to his surroundings, is soon lost in thought. (Nikolai Krogius, Spassky’s second for the Match.)
“When Fischer heard Spassky had resigned the 21st game by telephone which would make him the new champion, he didn’t believe it. Fischer told the Chief Arbiter Lothar Schmid he wanted to see the resignation in writing. Eventually Fischer arrived at the playing hall and claimed his victory. At last Fischer had accomplished his goal: he was the World Chess Champion. Brad Darrach, journalist and film critic who wrote a book on the match, Bobby Fischer vs The Rest of the World, describes a scene as Fischer was being congratulated: ‘I looked around at the people, and noticed a small man in a wheelchair, crying. I took him to be John W. Collins, Bobby’s (chess) teacher for many years before. He was there to see it.’”
President Richard Nixon dispatched a telegram to Fischer upon his victory which read:
Dear Bobby
Your convincing victory at Reykjavik is eloquent witness to your complete mastery of the world’s most difficult and challenging game. The Championship you have won is a great personal triumph for you and I am pleased to join countless of your fellow citizens in extending my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you.
Sincerely yours,
Richard Nixon.
