The Gift of Chess

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Best of Chess Fischer Newspaper Archives
• Robert J. Fischer, 1955 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1956 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1957 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1958 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1959 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1960 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1961 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1962 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1963 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1964 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1965 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1966 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1967 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1968 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1969 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1970 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1971 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1972 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1973 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1974 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1975 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1976 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1977 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1978 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1979 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1980 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1981 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1982 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1983 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1984 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1985 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1986 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1987 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1988 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1989 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1990 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1991 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1992 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1993 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1994 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1995 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1996 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1997 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1998 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 1999 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2000 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2001 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2002 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2003 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2004 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2005 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2006 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2007 bio + additional games
• Robert J. Fischer, 2008 bio + additional games
Chess Columns Additional Archives/Social Media

1972 June 13

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The Dispatch Moline, Illinois Tuesday, June 13, 1972 - Page 12

Tass Writer Says Fischer, Spassky Equal
Moscow (UPI)—American chess champion Bobby Fischer is “egocentric, capricious, obstinate and hot-tempered” but has an “approximately equal” chance to defeat Soviet world champion Boris Spassky in their title match next month, Tass said today.
A commentary by the news agency's chess commentator, Yakov Rokhlin, said the match for the world championship that begins in Reykjavik, July 2, may depend on “who will be first to seize the initiative.”
Tass called Spassky, 35, “a universal chess player.”
“His rich intuition enables Spassky to effect sharp tactical turns in a fluid involved position,” Rokhlin said.
The strategic concepts of Fischer are much different.
“Rapid appraisal and accurate calculation of variations are his (Fischer's) strong points.” Rokhlin said, adding, “his Achilles heel is the psychological and emotional aspect of the struggle.”
They have “approximately equal chances” in the match, he said.

Tass Writer Says Fischer, Spassky Equal

News-Journal Mansfield, Ohio Tuesday, June 13, 1972 - Page 6

Chess Matches
Q — When is the contest for the world chess title to be? I think it's to be the United States's Bobby Fischer against the Russian Boris Spassky. — K. J., Walker Lake Rd.

A — No definite date has been set, but the matches are to start no later than June 25. Watch the papers for the date. Belgrade, Yugoslavia, will host 12 games and Reyjavik, Iceland will host the other 12.

Chess MatchesChess Matches Tue, Jun 13, 1972 – 6 · News-Journal (Mansfield, Ohio) · Newspapers.com

New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, June 13, 1972 - Page 40

Chess: Fischer Displays Confidence In Comments on Title Match by Al Horowitz
Speculation and discussion continue to be stirred about the 24-game match scheduled between Bobby Fischer of the United States and Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in Reykjavik, Iceland, for the world chess championship. The match, slated to begin on July 2, will go to Fischer if he scores 12½ points. For Spassky to retain his title, however, the Soviet star needs only 12 points.
A friend of Fischer's recently was asked, “Who is going to win and by what score?” The answer was: “Fischer will win by three to won.”
Registering disdain when told of this comment, Fischer said “the odds should be 20 to 1.”
Without a doubt, Fischer has amassed much confidence. All other things being equal, confidence wins games. Allied to the will to win, it sparks the mental ignition, brings forth ideas, dispels doubts and promotes clear thinking.
In contrast, timidity befuddles, inhibits and defeats itself. By all means, be confident … use that intangible point, the psychological weapon. Move with alacrity, capture with impunity and play with dignity.
Aside from this verbal barrage, a look at the record will disclose emphatic differences. First, Fischer won seven serious clock games in a row, then he defeated Mark Taimanov of the Soviet Union, 6-0. After that he defeated Grandmaster Bent Larsen of Denmark, 6-0. After his winning streak was halted, he defeated a former world champion, Tigran Petrosian of the Soviet Union, 5½-2½.
Over-the-board, Fischer has met Spassky five times. He drew twice and lost three times.
This result is peculiar. According to Prof. Arpad Elo, a teacher at Marquette University who has placed all of Fischer's games on a computer, Fischer should win the Spassky match 12½-8½.
Spassky's chess has not been the strongest in the last several years. He has failed to take the lead in many tournaments.
In the Sicilian Reversed from the game against Larsen in Yugoslavia in 1964, Spassky, as Black, gains a small initiative as a result of his opening pattern.
With move 14. N-N5, White inveigled Black into a tactical morass, from which White could not recover. On the face of it, White got into trouble, and a careful count will disclose that White was always behind.

Spassky Beats Evans
With 24. … NxP many of White's men are en prise and White can barely manage to hold. After 30. … Q-K4, Black has netted a couple of pawns. With 34 … N-K3, Black has laid open a vulnerable kingside. With 39 … RxB, White is finished.
In a short King's Indian defense, Spassky defeated Larry Evans, a former American champion and United States Open champion, who has acted as Fischer's second a number of times ([such as leaving halfway through the 1971 Buenos Aires tournament with Petrosian, Evans complaining because Fischer didn't need him.)] The game is from the 1962 Olympics in Stalin, Bulgaria.
Oddly enough, the defense is one that is favored by Fischer. But a move made by Fischer and Evans in the same position is not the same.
White takes the initiative and move by move built up his potential forces to their utmost. On the other hand, in the first dozen or so odd moves, Black played almost all pawn moves. In the preface, White initiates a kingside attack and the campaign is mapped out.
With 12 … P-R5, White accelerates the attack, and before long, White breaks through and his attack is irresistible.

Bent Larsen vs Boris Spassky
Belgrade (1964), Belgrade YUG, rd 3, Sep-??
English Opening: King's English. Taimanov Variation (A25) 0-1

Boris Spassky vs Larry Melvyn Evans
Varna Olympiad Final-A (1962), Varna BUL, rd 10, Oct-07
King's Indian Defense: Saemisch Variation (E80) 1-0

Fischer Displays Confidence In Comments on Title Match

'til the world understands why Robert J. Fischer criticised the U.S./British and Russian military industry imperial alliance and their own Israeli Apartheid. Sarah Wilkinson explains:

Bobby Fischer, First Amendment, Freedom of Speech
What a sad story Fischer was,” typed a racist, pro-imperialist colonial troll who supports mega-corporation entities over human rights, police state policies & white supremacy.
To which I replied: “Really? I think he [Bob Fischer] stood up to the broken system of corruption and raised awareness! Whether on the Palestinian/Israel-British-U.S. Imperial Apartheid scam, the Bush wars of ‘7 countries in 5 years,’ illegally, unconstitutionally which constituted mass xenocide or his run in with police brutality in Pasadena, California-- right here in the U.S., police run rampant over the Constitution of the U.S., on oath they swore to uphold, but when Americans don't know the law, and the cops either don't know or worse, “don't care” -- then I think that's pretty darn “sad”. I think Mr. Fischer held out and fought the good fight, steadfast til the day he died, and may he Rest In Peace.
Educate yourself about U.S./State Laws --
https://www.youtube.com/@AuditTheAudit/videos
After which the troll posted a string of profanities, confirming there was never any genuine sentiment of “compassion” for Mr. Fischer, rather an intent to inflict further defamatory remarks.

This ongoing work is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Robert “Bobby” Fischer who passionately loved and studied chess history. May his life continue to inspire many other future generations of chess enthusiasts and kibitzers, alike.

Robert J. Fischer, Kid Chess Wizard 1956March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008

The photograph of Bobby Fischer (above) from the March 02, 1956 The Tampa Times was discovered by Sharon Mooney (Bobby Fischer Newspaper Archive editor) on February 01, 2018 while gathering research materials for this ongoing newspaper archive project. Along with lost games now being translated into Algebraic notation and extractions from over two centuries of newspapers, it is but one of the many lost treasures to be found in the pages of old newspapers since our social media presence was first established November 11, 2017.

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