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Bobby Fischer11th world chess champion
Date of Birth: 09.03.1943
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Bobby Fischer
- Introduction to Chess
- Rise to Chess Stardom
- World Chess Champion
- Later Years and Controversies
- Legacy and Death
Biography of Bobby Fischer
Early Life and EducationRobert Fischer, known as Bobby Fischer, was born on March 9, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Hans-Gerhard Fischer, was a German biologist and communist ideologist, while his mother, Regina Wender, was a Swiss Jew. Fischer's parents met at the Moscow Medical University, where Regina was studying. In 1939, they left the Soviet Union, with Hans-Gerhard moving to Chile and Regina settling in Brooklyn, USA. The fact that his parents lived separately for a long time sparked speculation about Fischer's true biological father, with some suggesting it was Paul Nemenyi, a mathematician who played a significant role in Fischer's upbringing.
Introduction to Chess
At the age of 6, Fischer's sister taught him how to play chess. He quickly became fascinated by the game and started isolating himself from his classmates. Concerned about his son's social development, Fischer's mother sought medical advice, which suggested encouraging his chess passion. At the age of 10, Fischer joined a chess club and won his first tournament. He also demonstrated exceptional abilities in school, learning several foreign languages and devouring chess literature at an early age. Fischer often expressed his dissatisfaction with the education system, claiming that his teachers were "stupid." The only person he considered intelligent in school was his physical education teacher, who happened to be a decent chess player and became Fischer's only friend.
Rise to Chess Stardom
Fischer dropped out of school to pursue chess full-time, with the goal of becoming the world champion. To maintain his physical fitness, he also engaged in other sports such as tennis, ice-skating, swimming, and skiing. At the age of 14, Fischer won the U.S. Chess Championship, and by 15, he became an international grandmaster. Many renowned chess players initially saw him as a child prodigy with an exceptional mind, but when they faced him in matches, they encountered a mature mastermind willing to do whatever it took to win. Fischer's ruthless style of play earned him the nickname "the cold-blooded killer." In 1971, he achieved a record-breaking victory of 12-0 against Bent Larsen and Mark Taimanov in the Candidates Matches, a feat never before accomplished by any professional chess player.
World Chess Champion
In 1972, Fischer challenged the reigning world champion, Boris Spassky, in Reykjavik, Iceland, in one of the most intense and passionate chess matches in history. Fischer emerged victorious, becoming the 11th World Chess Champion. However, Fischer's career was overshadowed by constant controversies. He displayed eccentric behavior, and some even questioned his mental stability. Fischer frequently violated regulations, demanded special treatment, and often refused to participate in tournaments that did not meet his standards. In 1975, he forfeited his title and withdrew from competitive chess, which led to Anatoly Karpov becoming the new World Chess Champion.
Later Years and Controversies
Following his retirement, Fischer lived a reclusive life in Pasadena, California, and briefly joined the religious sect called the "World Church of the Creator." He later moved to the Philippines and then to Japan, where he developed a correspondence relationship with a young chess player named Zita Rajcsanyi. In 1992, Fischer unexpectedly agreed to play a rematch against Spassky in Yugoslavia, where he won again. However, this move caused legal issues for Fischer, as the United States had imposed a boycott on Yugoslavia at the time. Fischer was unable to return to the U.S., and he spent his later years in various countries, including Iceland, where he was granted citizenship in 2005.
Legacy and Death
Bobby Fischer, a genius and a madman, passed away on January 17, 2008, in Reykjavik, Iceland, due to kidney failure. His burial took place in Selfoss, near Reykjavik. Despite his controversial reputation, Fischer's impact on chess remains profound. His extraordinary talent and relentless pursuit of excellence inspired generations of chess players around the world.
