Boris Spassky was a ‘child’ of the ‘Iron Curtain’. Maybe, that was the reason he was known more for his defeat to Bobby Fischer than his achievements. In a polarised world, it was easier for the West, with the advantage of liberalism and language, to set the narrative. And beyond the Eastern Bloc, it was widely accepted.
Spassky, a world chess champion (1969-1972) from the erstwhile Soviet Union, lost his crown to Fischer, an American, in that epic 1972 title clash in Reykjavik. It was the height of the Cold War, and the rivalry assumed a clear political overtone after Fischer had threatened to pull out. Richard Nixon, then American President, and his acolyte, Henry Kissinger, got involved and eventually convinced Fischer to return to the table. Then, that ‘pawn sacrifice’ happened – the game’s ultimate genius befuddling Spassky with an unprecedented move. The latter was dethroned. In soft-power politics, the Soviet Union lost to its arch-rival.
Spassky died on Thursday in Moscow. He was 88. His death was announced by the International Chess Federation, which also posted a fitting tribute on its X (erstwhile Twitter) handle.
The post said: “The chess world mourns the loss of Boris Spassky, the 10th World Champion and one of the greatest players of all time. A true prodigy, Spassky became a Grandmaster at 18 and claimed the World Chess Championship title in 1969.”
It added: “Known for his universal playing style and unforgettable matches, Spassky left an indelible mark on the game. From his historic battles with Petrosian to the legendary “Match of the Century” against Fischer, his legacy will forever inspire chess players worldwide.”
Spassky became a proxy of the Cold War. But as far as chess is concerned, he was never wedded to dogma. The legendary Garry Kasparov said as much in his post on X.
“Boris was never above befriending and mentoring the next generation, especially those of us who, like him, didn’t fit comfortably into the Soviet machine (He emigrated to France in 1976),” wrote the six-time world champion. “It was a pleasure to tell my stories and those of others about him in the third volume of My Great Predecessors.”
About the match against Fischer, Kasparov said: “His (Spassky) rise as a prodigy, conquest of the crown against the invincible Petrosian on the second attempt, and decades of elite play are too often lost in the shadow of his dramatic title loss to Bobby Fischer in 1972 and the circus Fischer turned it into. But Spassky always wanted to play, and he handled the situation with impressive dignity.”
Spassky lost his title to an American maverick at a time when the Soviet machine bossed the sport. But the legend has it that, after he was outwitted on the board, he stood and applauded the winner.
Later, as he recollected “The Match of the Century” in an article published by the World Chess Hall of Fame, Spassky had said: “Our chess kingdom does not have borders.” This is as quoted by The Washington Post.
With Spassky’s death, chess lost a titan.