Boris Spassky vs Bobby Fischer: The High-Stakes 1972 Chess Battle Revisited
Boris Spassky, the Soviet chess legend, has passed away at 88, the Russian Chess Federation announced.
Best known for the iconic 1972 “Match of the Century” against Bobby Fischer, Spassky’s showdown with the American challenger was more than just chess—it was a Cold War spectacle.
Here’s a look back at the buildup, drama, and legacy of that historic battle.
Q: What made Spassky a great chess player?
A: Spassky was known for his universal playing style. He could adapt to various types of positions, making him a formidable opponent. He was exceptionally strong in both positional and tactical play, which contributed to his success at the highest level of chess.
Q: How did Spassky become World Chess Champion?
A: Spassky won the World Chess Championship in 1969 by defeating fellow Soviet grandmaster Tigran Petrosian. He had previously challenged Petrosian in 1966 but lost the match.
Q: How was Spassky’s record against Bobby Fischer before the 1972 World Chess Championship?
A: Before their 1972 showdown, Spassky had a strong record against Fischer, winning three games and drawing two in their five previous encounters. This made him a formidable opponent going into the match.
Q: What happened in the 1972 World Chess Championship between Spassky and Fischer?
A: The 1972 championship match in Reykjavik, Iceland, was a Cold War spectacle, with the American Fischer challenging Soviet dominance in chess. Spassky initially led 2-0, but Fischer made a strong comeback. He secured his first-ever victory against Spassky in Game 3. After drawing Game 4, Fischer won Games 5 and 6, taking the lead for the first time.
Fischer extended his advantage with wins in Games 8 and 10, but Spassky fought back with a victory in Game 11 — his last of the match. Fischer won Game 13, followed by a series of seven draws. He sealed the championship with a decisive victory in Game 21, after which Spassky conceded over the phone (those days the game was adjourned to the second day if there was no result after 40 moves).
Fischer triumphed 12.5-8.5 on September 1, in a match famously dubbed the “Cold War played with pawns.” As The Guardian’s Michael Lake put it, “World chess will never be the same again.”
Q: How did Spassky react to his loss in 1972?
A: Spassky was gracious in defeat. He even joined the audience in applauding Fischer’s brilliant play in one of the games. Despite losing his title, he remained one of the top chess players in the world.
Q: What was Spassky’s career like after 1972?
A: Although Spassky never reclaimed the World Chess Championship, he remained an elite player for years. He later moved to France and represented the country in chess tournaments. In 1992, he played a rematch against Fischer in Yugoslavia, which he lost.
Q: What is Spassky’s legacy in chess?
A: Spassky is remembered as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His sportsmanship, adaptability, and deep understanding of the game left a lasting impact on chess history. He played a key role in one of the most famous chess matches ever, which helped popularize the game worldwide.
With inputs from P.K. Ajith Kumar