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Bobby Fischer dead Bobby Fischer, chess genius and generally unpleasant wacko, has died in Iceland. Perhaps he will play Beelzebub for his soul?
Update: noted by commenter Walter Boswell: “I just realised he died at the age of 64. The same number of squares on the chess board. Bobby, spooky moves right up until the end.”
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Our world is now a much more bland, generic place.
Here’s the late Bobby F., as quoted on Wikipedia and elsewhere:
“I say death to President Bush, I say death to the United States. Fuck the United States, fuck the Jews, the Jews are a criminal people, they mutilate their children, they are murderous, criminal, thieving, lying, bastards. They made up the Holocaust, there’s not a word of truth to it. They are the worst liars and bastards. And now, what goes around, comes around, they’re getting it back, finally. Praise God… Hallelujah, this is a wonderful day. Fuck the United States. Cry, you crybabies! Whine, you bastards! Now your time is coming! The US is getting what is coming to it. This is just the beginning.”
— Speaking on Bombo Radyo, September 11, 2001
Alav Hashalom, but what a nutcase
Sigh,
The man may have been a complete tool, but the 1972 World Championship Match was absolutely gripping, largely due to the combination of both his skill and his lunacy. Although I guess Cold War competition contributed.
The only time in my memory that chess was headline news. Apart from that gorgeous Gold Coast chess babe(Link) that had http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1807035,00.html in public, that is.
Did I mention that I had a long chat with her mother over that incident? I have never in my life encountered a mother so proud of her daughter.
Sigh,
Probably the closest I will ever get to her. Pity.
He was certainly a genius at chess, but yeah he was simply so difficult and awful as a person that even as a chess fan I could never warm to the fellow.
If he really is playing Beelzebub for his soul, I’d say Fischer would be a shoe-in.
As a mind games fan, the world is a more boring place without him in it. No doubt he was a f’ing crazy anti Semite but in his day boy could he play chess. Anyone looking to read about his most famous match in 1972 I heartily recommend ‘Bobby Fischer Goes to War’ by David Edmonds.
As for him playing Beelzebub for his soul I’d guess he’d like that, but would insist they played Fisher Random chess (chess 960).
RIP
that had
That was meant to be – that had guys fighting over her(Link) in public.
Whatever.
With Bobby dead the gaiety of nations is diminished.
Bobby Fischer playing Beelzebub for his soul? Would that be “Chess nuts roasting on an open fire…”?
He was yet another variant of the idiot savant.
If he really is playing Beelzebub for his soul, I’d say Fischer would be a shoe-in.
Nah,
Probably playing Cripple Mr Onion.
Even Granny Weatherwax could beat Death at that one.
Ain’t it odd? Wee Bobby, a foul mouthed hate filled demon and champion of his game – yet chess hooliganism exists not. Your average footballer, docile, bland, and not too much to say by way of social commentary and people can get killed before during and after the match.
Did you type that in the David Caruso tone? If so, you made my day.
He was a unique genius.
Let’s forget his lunacy and remember his extraordinary capability.
RIP.
Fischer plays black.
Fisher was obviously mentally ill. He had a dreadful childhood with a hateful mother who set up tournaments so she could exploit his incredible talents for money. He would have been in an institution, had his amazing abilities not induced many people to give him a pass. A sad, sad affair.
I just realised he died at the age of 64. The same number of squares on the chess board. Bobby, spooky moves right up until the end.
If there is an example of the thin line between genius and stupidity, Fischer is it.
Chess fans. Have a peek at this:
http://www.turbulence.org/spotlight/thinking/chess.html
Found a reference to it on Reasons H&R.
Cool Walter.
What is that yellow and green tracks stuff all about everytime you make a move?
Play likelyhood, or somesuch?
I’m more of a Go man myself.
But hats of to Fisher-
Bonkers but brilliant!
“Before letting go he looked down. Some kind of hasty preparations were under way there: the window reflections gathered together and leveled themselves out, the whole chasm was seen to divide into dark and pale squares, and at the instant when Luzhin unclenched his hand, he saw exactly what kind of eternity was obligingly and inexorably spread out before him.”
– from THE DEFENSE, by Vladimir Nabokov.
I think so. The brighter the colour the better the move. But it’s of no help to me and now I remember why I stopped playing this devil game.