The Soviet grandmaster renowned for his Match of the Century against Bobby Fischer has passed away at 88
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.
