World chess champion Boris Spassky passed away in Moscow at the age of 88. He was known for his loss to Bobby Fischer in the 1972 “Match of the Century,” which overshadowed his career. Spassky suffered a major stroke in 2010, leaving him in a wheelchair. The International Chess Federation praised his contributions to the game and remembered him as a true gentleman.
Despite his significant achievements as a player, Spassky was unhappy with the attention surrounding the match with Fischer during the Cold War era. The rematch between the two players 20 years later also garnered global interest. Fischer was seen as a hero battling the Soviet chess machine, while Spassky was portrayed as a representative of the Soviet empire, although these depictions were not accurate.
The match almost did not happen due to Fischer’s demands for more money, but a compromise was reached, and the match proceeded. Fischer won the match with a score of 12.5 to 8.5, becoming the champion. Spassky’s son mentioned that his father felt the pressure during the match and always wanted to be remembered as a chess player rather than for the political implications of the game.
A detailed obituary detailing Spassky’s life and legacy is expected to be released soon. The chess community mourns the loss of a great player and a true gentleman.
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