Latest news with #MatchoftheCentury
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boris Spassky, Soviet chess champ who lost Cold War's ‘Match of the Century,' dies at 88
The Brief Boris Spassky, former world chess champion, died in Moscow at 88. He was best known for his 1972 "Match of the Century" loss to Bobby Fischer. The International Chess Federation called Spassky "one of the greatest players of all time." MOSCOW - Boris Spassky, the Soviet-era chess champion best remembered for his historic 1972 match against Bobby Fischer, has died in Moscow at the age of 88, the International Chess Federation announced Thursday. No cause of death was given. Spassky, widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time, held the world championship title from 1969 to 1972 before losing to Fischer in a Cold War-era showdown that captivated audiences worldwide. The event, known as the "Match of the Century," was held in Reykjavik, Iceland, and marked the first time an American claimed the world chess title. What they're saying The International Chess Federation, which oversees the game globally, said Spassky "left an indelible mark on the game" and was instrumental in shaping the sport. Former world champion Garry Kasparov reflected on Spassky's influence, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that Spassky "was never above befriending and mentoring the next generation, especially those of us who, like him, didn't fit comfortably into the Soviet machine." Spassky, who emigrated to France in 1976, was known for his versatile playing style and adaptability. Yugoslav grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric once noted that Spassky's strength "lay in his colossal skill in adapting himself to the different styles of his opponents," according to The Washington Post. The backstory His 1972 loss to Fischer was more than just a chess match—it became a symbolic battle between the United States and the Soviet Union, with Fischer's victory marking a major upset in the Soviet-dominated world of chess. Fischer, known for his controversial personality and reclusive nature, died in 2008. The International Chess Federation called Spassky's match with Fischer one of the most iconic moments in chess history, cementing his place among the game's all-time greats. The Source This report is based on information from the Associated Press, statements from the International Chess Federation, historical analysis from The Washington Post, and comments from former world champion Garry Kasparov. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
Emirates 24/7
28-02-2025
- Sport
- Emirates 24/7
Boris Spassky, Former World Chess Champion, Dies at 88
Russian chess grandmaster Boris Spassky has passed away at the age of 88, International Chess Federation (FIDE) General Director Emil Sutovsky confirmed to Reuters on Thursday. Spassky, who became a French citizen in 1978, was the 10th World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1969 to 1972. He famously lost his crown to American Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik in what became known as the "Match of the Century," a contest played against the backdrop of Cold War tensions. Despite winning the first two games, Spassky ultimately fell to Fischer 12.5-8.5. His sportsmanship during the match was widely praised, particularly when he applauded Fischer after losing the sixth game. Former world champion Anatoly Karpov, who defeated Spassky in the semi-finals of the 1974 Candidates Tournament, paid tribute to his former rival. "My idols in chess were Jose Capablanca and Boris Spassky. When I managed to beat Spassky, it was the greatest victory and, in a sense, felt like overcoming something within myself by defeating my teacher," Karpov told state news agency RIA. "For me, Boris Spassky represented an entire era in chess. He is most famous, of course, for losing the title to Bobby Fischer, but he had chances to win that match. Though the final score was decisive, when the momentum was in his favor, he let his chances slip away." Spassky had been the oldest living world chess champion before his passing. Russian Chess Federation President Andrei Filatov described his death as a great loss. "A great personality has passed away. Generations of chess players have studied and continue to study his games and his work. This is a tremendous loss for the country," Filatov told TASS news agency. Alexander Tkachev, Executive Director of the Russian Chess Federation, also reflected on Spassky's legacy. "Boris Vasilevich lived in Moscow and maintained contact with those close to him. I knew him not just from books but personally—it was always fascinating to speak with him. He was a wonderful storyteller, and it is difficult for me to accept that he is gone," Tkachev told RIA. During his career, Spassky represented France in three Chess Olympiads in 1984, 1986, and 1988, and was often seen playing chess in the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris during the 1990s. His health began deteriorating in the early 2000s, and in August 2012, he unexpectedly disappeared from Paris, resurfacing in Moscow two months later. "It was my desire to return to Russia because my time in France had run its course. It was time to start a new stage in my life," Spassky said at the time. Spassky's contributions to chess, both as a player and an ambassador of the game, will be remembered for generations to come. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
New York Times
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Boris Spassky, Chess Champion Who Lost ‘Match of the Century,' Dies at 88
Boris Spassky, the world chess champion whose career was overshadowed by his loss to Bobby Fischer in the 'Match of the Century' in 1972, died on Thursday in Moscow. He was 88. His death was announced by the International Chess Federation, the game's governing body, which did not cite a cause. He had been sick for a long time, having suffered a major stroke in 2010 that left him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of the federation, which is also known as FIDE, said in a statement: 'He was not only one of the greatest players of the Soviet era and the world, but also a true gentleman. His contributions to chess will never be forgotten.' Mr. Spassky had noteworthy accomplishments as a player, but the politics of the match with Mr. Fischer, at the height of the Cold War, and the media attention focused on it, reduced both of them to mere pawns in a wider drama. Mr. Spassky was not happy about all the attention. In a 2023 interview for an exhibition at the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, his son, Boris Jr., said, 'The role that he played in the 1972 match, he always thought of it as a chess player because all the fuss around it, political, geostrategic, he never mentioned it. I am pretty certain that he felt the pressure.' It was a measure of the match's resonance that 20 years later, when they staged a rematch, it drew worldwide interest, even though both players were well past their prime. When they played the first match, in Reykjavik, Iceland, Mr. Fischer, with his brash personality, was something of a folk hero in the West. He was widely portrayed as a lone gunslinger boldly taking on the might of the Soviet chess machine, with Mr. Spassky representing the repressive Soviet empire. The reality could not have been further from the truth. Mr. Fischer was a spoiled 29-year-old man-child, often irascible and difficult. Mr. Spassky, 35, was urbane, laid-back and good-natured, acceding to Mr. Fischer's many demands leading up to and during the match. The match almost did not happen. It was supposed to start on July 2, but Mr. Fischer was still in New York, demanding more money for both players. A British promoter, James Slater, added $125,000 to the prize fund, which doubled it to $250,000 (about $1.9 million today), and Mr. Fischer arrived on July 4. The match was a best-of-24 series, with each win counting as one point, each draw as a half point, and each loss as a zero. The first player to 12.5 points would be the winner. In Game 1, played on July 11, Mr. Fischer blundered and lost. Afterward, he refused to play Game 2 unless the television cameras being used to record the match were turned off. When they were not, Mr. Fischer forfeited the game. The match seemed in doubt, and at the height of the crisis, Henry A. Kissinger, the secretary of state, made a personal appeal to Mr. Fischer to play. A compromise was worked out, and the match was moved to a tiny, closed playing area. Mr. Fischer won Game 3, his first victory ever against Mr. Spassky, and proceeded to steamroll him, winning the match 12.5 to 8.5.
Russia Today
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Russia Today
Chess legend Boris Spassky dies
Boris Spassky, the 10th world chess champion, has died at the age of 88, the Russian Chess Federation announced on Thursday. He was best known for his Cold War-era 'Match of the Century' against American Bobby Fischer in 1972. 'A great personality has passed away; generations of chess players have learned and continue to learn from his games and work. It's a great loss for the country. Condolences to family and friends. Eternal memory,' the body's president, Andrey Filatov, told TASS on Thursday. Born on January 30, 1937, in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Spassky began playing chess at the age of five, showing prodigious talent early on. During World War II, he and his elder brother were evacuated from Leningrad to Kirov Region. It was during this period that Spassky's passion for chess deepened. In 1969, Spassky achieved the pinnacle of his career by defeating Soviet-Armenian grandmaster Tigran Petrosian to become world champion. The match, held in Moscow, concluded with a score of 12.5 to 10.5 in Spassky's favor. However, it was the 1972 World Chess Championship that cemented Spassky's legacy in popular culture. Facing American challenger Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik, Iceland, the match transcended the chessboard, becoming a symbolic confrontation amid Cold War tensions. In what was dubbed the Match of the Century, Fischer emerged victorious with a score of 12.5 to 8.5, marking the first time an American had claimed the world chess title. Despite the intense rivalry, Spassky and Fischer maintained a mutual respect. Their relationship extended beyond the 1972 match, leading to a rematch in 1992, which Fischer also won. Throughout his career, Spassky was known for his adaptable playing style, capable of both aggressive attacks and deep positional understanding. He represented the Soviet Union in numerous Chess Olympiads and later emigrated to France in 1976, continuing his chess career and representing his new country in international competitions. In 2010, Spassky suffered a stroke and subsequently returned to Russia in 2012. The statement from the Chess Federation did not say when exactly he died or from what cause.
