Something I liked about Spassky is that when Fischer got arrested, he demanded his release. Finally he stated, "If you won't release him, put me in his cell with a chess board." Spassky was an ultimate gamesman.
Fischer's performance rating from this match was 2660, which would have put him at #10 in the world on the January 1993 fide rating list. He did this after not playing chess for TWENTY YEARS at the age of 50. Simply incredible.
In 1992 Fischers rating of 2780 would put him tied for number 1. Ratings don't degrade with time if you don't play, you just get removed from. The elo ratings gs list. So starting the match fischer was rated #1 in the world, he was spraying spasski who was rated the bottom on the top 100. Fischers performance is not that impressive and him staying in the top ten from starting at tied for #1 is not impressive ether.
Fischer is an all time great regardless and a genius who was simply ahead of his time on the chess board. His story and that of Morphy and Sultan Khan are simply unbelievable and also sad in that they weren't able to do justice to their talents. Perhaps if chess had sports psychologists like they have in different sports now then maybe such talents could have been fostered better. Fischer should have been better handled by the US admin despite his outbursts. He gave the US a strong ideological bragging right at an intellectual sport and at the height of the cold war rivalry. Regardless of his stances later he deserved better. A lot better.
Levy, your historical chess game videos are amongst your best videos! Your talent for storytelling equals your talent for commentating games, and that makes these videos so much fun!
It's worth nothing that Bobby's proposal reportedly lost by a single vote. It's also worth noting that the conditions Fischer demanded for a return match with Karpov we're no different and even more fair than previous conditions set by Botvinnik who demanded an instant rematch.
@@aluminiumknight4038 not really, in 1954 the match was tied and Botvinnik retained the title. Fischer's conditions were more fair than those set previously and champions have always asserted some sort of change, they just happened to have rejected Fischer's change.Honestly his made more sense than having a rapid game deciding the outcome.
@@aluminiumknight4038 That "tie goes to the title holder" custom goes back to the early days of chess world championships, so there was nothing new or unusual about it. In fact, the great Emanuel Lasker retained his title in the 1910 championship match against Schlechter only by tying the challenger, not by actually winning the match.
I personally went to those matches several times. Let me give you a bit of context. Serbia was a living hellhole at the time, like Venezuela today, except with a war happening right next door and even more of a pariah status. The average salaries were a couple of euros a MONTH and hyperinflation was rampant. Nothing worked, nothing functioned, crime and violence were everywhere and people were just desperate to survive somehow. You were essentially considered upper-middle-class if you weren't starving. The entire country was completely sealed off and travel out of it was next to impossible, perhaps the worst sanctions in human history. Today, no country would ever face such sanctions since the world is no longer unipolar and you could never get a vote for it in the UN. In this context, imagine a 10 year old kid in this situation, entering the Sava Center with one of my grandparents, a glitzy convention center. The entrance was free. It was literally the event of the year so the place was packed. I believe even the drinks were free or purchasable for a very low price. It was the atmosphere of a cocktail party. People wore their best clothes. I didn't understand a single bit of chess theory, but just a chance to watch something this big was absolutely magical. It gave me hope to endure the coming years. Oh, and on a final note the guy organizing it, Jezdimir Vasiljević, was a major crook who ultimately stole hundreds of millions of dollars from desperate people looking to invest into his bank. I mean, the state took most of it, but he eloped with quite a bit.
@@elpibe1924 I don't think the violence ever got as bad as in the poorer parts of South America, but it was still quite bad for European standards. Criminals fought and killed each other in broad daylight. If you had a fancier pair of sneakers you might run the risk of someone approaching you and forcing you to give it to them. Bullying and fights in schools were endemic, as well as between football gangs. Other than that, I guess the one saving grace was that if you weren't part of the criminal ruling class, no one would likely target you since you had very little money on you anyway. One could say the state already did the robbing part.
We scream about inflation lately in the U.S.A., but many have no idea! I was in Jugoslavija the year before this match, and one day, they just moved the decimal point a few places on the currency! And out came "new money," smaller bills. Imagine having a dollar turn into less than ten cents, overnight! But even long after his death, they still loved Tito. It is a shame that such a vicious war broke out the following year. Most of the people are wonderful, but the nationalism that took over there now tries to infect us here. - j q t -
@@elpibe1924 Serbia is far more safer than the western cities and countries. This all happened 30 years ago, and the media satanised Serbs because of the politics. Serbs are one of the most welcoming people on this planet.
Wow, I never knew Bobby Fischer invented increment... that's pretty insane, it always seemed like such a natural thing to have in chess. As most of the other comments have said, I absolutely love when you make historical chess content and think you should definitely do more, they're always some of your best work.
Imagine.... Bobby Fischer was the only US-born world chess champion during 50+ years of complete Soviet chess domination. Yet, the Soviets were kinder to the US champion than the US government itself.
Fischer broke US law, he didn't break Soviet law. Yet the US was extremely kind to Fischer. He didn't pay his taxes for years and they didn't go after him. They didn't pursue him very hard after the match. Being the former world champion doesn't make you above the law, that's an odd definition of kindness.
please cover the history of the soviet chess school, would be fascinating to learn about the styles and approach to the game that saw that succession of champions from botvinnik up to kasparov and kramnik.
I come from Serbia and this is a very well known fact in our country that this match happened. We love our chess. Or at least we used to cherish it more than we do today. But after the chess boom in 2020 many young kids started playing chess and some people for whom I would never be able to tell that they love chess, started playing it. So I hope that one day some grand masters can come out from our country. I personally know a kid who is 8 years old who is really good so there is hope!
I think Fischer was the most talented player of all time. To do what he did pre computer age is hard to fathom. Having to get all his education from books and a board on front of him is incredible. No engine to check his lines, no giant databases to prep for opponents, just incredible.
@@Janet_Airlines802 Morphy was even better, theory wasn’t fletched out in his time. Also Fischer peaked then disappeared so he has no longevity unfortunately
@@lorenzo97tth562 not really. Most players had teams of people analyzing positions, proposing lines, etc. Bobby did everything by himself. He didn’t just defeat Spassky, but the entire combined effort of the best Soviet chess players alive at the time.
Don't get me wrong, I love all your recaps. But this one in particular was one of the best. Incredible commentary, explaining everything in detail very well, just a blast. Story time was also sick. Great video. Also, Fischer was a SAVAGE
Just a note from someone who lived in Yugoslavia '92 - Organiser (Jezdimir Vasiljevic) was not an entrepreneur/businessman, but a scammer (and convicted criminal) that was close to the ruling party of president Slobodan Milosevic (died in Hague in 2006, while being tried for war crimes). He was arrested after his Bank was found to be a Ponzi/pyramid scheme - his bank was giving >10% monthly for savings in hard currency (USD/EUR), by paying it with new customers' savings. Needless to say, the government knew what he was doing, but did nothing, course he bought a few months of "social peace" in war thorned country, and he was helping the country (smuggling) the oil, whose import was banned by the Internationally imposed sanctions. Of course, they "tried" to arrest him, when he started to fail to give back people their money, but he "somehow" got over the border in March of 1993. He did return a decade or so later, and was even convicted to a relatively small sentence (5 years), but he was released just after the trial ended (he spent 5 years in jail during the trial). In 2013. he even participated in a reality show on government propaganda TV - Yep, not much political/judicial progress happened in Serbia since the 90s. By the way, a US law (not the Internation) is the one that sanctioned the play of Fischer in Yugoslavia (or to be paid by Yugoslav entity, to be precise), Spassky, a French citizen at the time (from '70s), didn't have that problem. Edit: I was writing this comment, while the video played in the background, so I just saw that Levy did mention the whole Vasiljevic thing. Kudos to Levy for not missing those kinds of details!
There are a lot of Fischer stories. The one that stuck to me was when the Russians colluded against him - they were doing 20-30 move Draws against each other while going full strength against Bobby.
Unfortunately, the phenomena of top players in a tournament taking easy draws against each other and beating up on the weakies is something that's been plaguing chess for over a century. What made that tournament unusual was that Fischer was one of the weakies. But very commonplace. A couple of years back there were 7 players fighting for 6 qualifying spots. Six of them (including Nakamura) went easy on each other and beat up on Needleman, the one guy significantly weaker than the others. It wasn't "collusion", there's no need for collusion in such a case. The strategy is too obvious to need discussion.
My dad was watching this game live for free and pretty much the whole of Belgrade became circled around chess for the few days that they were there, which was truly brilliant, he also told me that he was standing and commentating on the game alongside jezda, the criminal that funded the match
the US Department of the Treasury warned Fischer before the start of the match that his participation was illegal, that it would violate President George H. W. Bush's Executive Order 12810 imposing United Nations Security Council Resolution 757 sanctions against engaging in economic activities in Yugoslavia In response, during the first scheduled press conference on September 1, 1992, in front of the international press, Fischer spat on the US order, saying "this is my reply"
That's a common myth, that Fischer didn't break the law, just an Executive Order. Not true, the law Fischer broke was the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Executive Order simply told him to obey that law, which he failed to do.
I am curious about the other character in this story - Boris Spassky. Everything I have heard about his is that he is a true gentleman who maintained a high level of respect for Fischer and never really blamed him for all the nonsense of the 1972 match. Meanwhile Spassky was under the thumb of the Soviet system for so many years. What motivated him to face Fischer in 1992? The money? Curiosity about Fischer's condition? I understand he donated some memorabilia recently to the hall of fame in St. Louis for their 50 year anniversary exhibit of the 1972 match. Spassky is an interesting dude in his own right.
i heard in some place Fisher say Spassky kind love and respect chess like him. Maybe is that the connection, both appreciate to much chess, and together had truly challenges.
About a month ago I spoke with the man who made the clock for this match, he became Fishers close friend during that time and he told me some interesting stories about him.
@@htwa if i remember correctly, Fisher would would wait for him at the train station every week when he came to the city where he lived at the time, but one time he wasnt there waiting, so he went to look for Fisher at his hotel, when he got to his room the door was slightly ajar, so he went in calling out for Fisher without a response, when he entered the room he noticed something behind him and grabbed it and threw it over him, that was Fisher hiding behind the door with a tazer trying to taze him (the guy was a former karate champion of Yugoslavia)
The US government was also insane to go after somebody who had been their hero during the Cold War. Kudos to tiny Iceland for standing up against them.
Thanks for this. You went rather fast over the last "episode" (which is a very interesting in my opinion (at least for an Icelander), and therefore all this writing). Bobby was jailed in Japan for half a year, and the government of Iceland gave Bobby Icelandic citizenship to save him from this unhuman prisonment - a way out. So he was an Icelander in for the remaining years of his live, and wanted to by burried here. He was left a lone, everybody knew about him and he was free to do what ever he wanted to do without being "interrupted". The sad part of this was the way he was treated, as he was obviously a sick man. Man that had a very difficult childhood, grew up in a very poor family - with his mother and siter, but his father was not around (...and "all that" father "issue" is another story which people should look up, Jewish hade later in live, does that have some past in that?) "alone" in a very small flat in NY and the only friend was the 64 black and white tiles. Learning to play buy studying and playing with him self. His mother, which was fighting to survive, financly, was hunted (her live no made easier) by the US government - thinking that she was some kind of a spy (at that time in the US there was a lot of strange things going on due to the cold war) So, even though she was highly intelligent, highly educated, she did not "make it" in the land of the opertunities, and they struckled to survive. So, back to Bobby, and the final stages of his live - Why could the US government not just let him be? This was obviously a sick man - That way he got the "channel" to say all kind of things that were not "good", for anybody, and things only got wors mainly for Bobby him self. Bobby was a man that fighted and won the USSR chess machine single handed (a machine that had helt firm grip on the world title in chess for decates) - in the height days of the cold war. Henry Kissinger knew all about how importand this match was, as a probaganda and got involved to make it happen. So the everybody knew how important this victory was for the US. Bobby died in Iceland at the age of 64 (which is ...yea think about it!), is burried in a semitary in a small village in Iceland, according to his wish - the greatest chess player US has ever owned and will ever own in the future - sad ending, but the Icelandic government did the right "act" to save him from this deadlock that the US government had put him in.
Dropped by his grave site on my trip to Iceland this summer. I stopped in the nearby Fischer Chess Center and happened to be there during an event celebrating 72 match. It was all in German I believe, and I couldn't understand what was going on, but it was neat to be there then.
I think he should be honored as a citizen of Iceland, and the honor should belong to them, rather than the US, and I'm a citizen of the US. But the treatment they gave him or lack thereof, Iceland showed who really allowed Fischer to simply be. Sad story, a damn shame.
Wow, Greater storytelling ! I followed the Fischer saga on another channel but the way you zoom in on this particular event with your own Gotham speed and energy really makes it come alive. Thank you
Great video. Only people over a certain age understand how incredibly important the 1972 match was. It was way, way beyond just a chess championship. It was the US versus the Soviet Union, capitalism versus communism, individual versus the collective. Everyone in the US was following it, whether they ever played a chess game of not. This is way before Bobby went nuts; he was still a normal person who happened to be the greatest chess player of all time. Every person in the US was rooting for him, and nothing ever did as much for the popularization of the game than that championship.
I'd love to see a video series on the top greats of chess we all have heard and have built the foundations of theory and chess on a whole. maybe weekly vid, 12 or 16 chapters on the biggest names up to today. The old champions still have wonderful games to explore and mean so much to where we are at now
@@cluelessmango768 There's a moment in Order of the Phoenix where an ensuing battle between the Hogwarts kids and death eaters has a spell hit a shelf full of time-turners, destroying all of them. Likely a response from Rowling getting frustrated of people asking that question.
@@GIR177 also, there are many side effects of time travel In hp. For example, if you went back one year you would have to go through the entire year again to get back to where you started. Essentially there is no way back. This can also cause ageing problems. If you went back 10 years you will seem to have aged by 10 years immediately by people in the present. Also, like Hermione said, imagine if you see yourself what would you do. There will be paradoxes as well. Thus, time travel is a heavily guarded part of magic in the hp universe.
Soo sad that I have to remember the sad story of how his own nation didn't support him enough during his hard times.. Bobby Fischer was my idol who inspired me to play chess...
Hey Levy, I was dying for a chess history video, thank you for this. Please do a video on the world championship match between Capablanca and Alekhine.
There’s a much more intuitive mating net at 13:30 than the one you showed that’s also mate in 3 which is just Kb5 Nc3+ and if he takes on b4 than ra4#. If not then nbd5 and u can’t stop b3#
the story of fischer is honestly one of the most depressing and most impactful things to happen in the chess world. he went from being a small boy in new york to becoming a literal soldier for the united states against the soviets playing chess, dominating the field for several fields and becoming undisputed. its such a tragedy how he lost his mind from being super isolated and all but even abused in japan and in his later years when he disappeared from the public. thanks levy i remember you made a clip stating you were thinking of showing this match, its a very instructive video and i hope many understand how much impact fischer left on the chess world, it was not a lightful world but a dark era for chess in general so yea cheers
Fischer never asked for any conditions that weren't best or normal from past eras. His terms were accepted later by the Soviets after Bobby left the game. They held the title for 6 more years by stealth. Fischer was the all-time greatest chess champion & all the other champs know it. Case closed. Ask Magnus. He'll say so if above the influence of Kasparov. That's chess in the 20th century.
Storytelling at its finest. Some history, some tragedy, some comedy… (ie: almost Shakespearean), but the old bard surely lacked fascinating chess content. Well played sir.
Hey Levy. I'm from Belgrade, Serbia, and your knowledge of history is impressive. A lot of americans don't know what Europe is, not to mention Yugoslavia etc... And you pronounce names incredibly. Great job right here mate. Have a nice day!
nice video! that was one of the most interesting match of chess. every chess player was watching the games, they were all curios about how Fischer would have played! sadly, Kasparov said that it was a match between two old guys whose style was still from the 70s. anyway, you haven't mentioned the most interesting fact: the president of the USA sent a letter to Bobby saying that he cannot play in Jugoslavia, because all the tensions you said also... and Bobby, after reading the letter in front of the camera, letterally SPIT on the letter! amazing Bobbyyyyy!!!!! all these facts as well as his history are covered on a documentary that I have. it is called "Bobby Fischer against the world". Amazing movie!
historical vids like this are pretty cool, and adding touches of what happened to the players outside of chess was nice. Idk if there is much content to be made like this, but its very enjoyable
Video was great Levy. Super educational and entertaining and I really appreciate that you simultaneously didn't shy away from the stain on Fisher's legacy without also dedicating too much time to it. I think that is an appropriate way to acknowledge the issue without making it the centerpiece.
Bobby Fischer was not only banned but also persecuted by US administration for this match. Ironically, he fell from a hero in 1972 to a traitor in 1992 for playing the same guy.
In fact, everyone under U.N. jurisdiction in any country was forbidden to engage in any commercial or promotional activity in the "Former Republics of the SFR of Yugoslavia.' Because the war was ragging on and some of its darkest chapters were in active developening at the moment. This blocade was a way to keep foreign powers out of the fight and the warlords far from any trade revenue. Of course is up to each country to enforce U.N. resolutiions on their nationals and it was seldom overlooked, but the whole thing was too noisy to cover-up. Saddest of all, they played for money because they were broke.
Then you should think about it a bit more. Playing sports for money is a business, and countries often sanction other countries, sometimes harming their own citizens in the process. The embargo on South Africa in the 70-80s (which included sports and arts) clearly had a major impact on the country, for one example. Paul Simon still gets a lot of hate for violating it. In the 90s, Yugoslavia was doing some horrific things, and to call the US fascist for trying to fight back against that is very misguided.
There are but two superstars that I know of who could put a war on hold. Pele played and put a revolution on pause for a day, Bobby and Boris put the war on pause. Bobby messed up US military savagery
@@sphinxman5578 oh stfu. Anti semitism is just knowing history and what theyve done and CONTINUE TO DO. Bobby was a genius in everything but when he makes 1 observation and opinion on it about semites hes suddenly just a numpty?
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As one of those that jumped in the cheers bandwagon during COVID-19, I'm liking the history of cheers element of this vid. Would make another good series.
It's amazing how in game 1 of this match after Spassky played a dubious move, Fischer, despite not having played seriously for the past 2 decades punishes him with razor-sharp accuracy!
I mean he did train for the game with a GM in the Philippines. But yeah he didn't play competitive chess for 2 decades very impressive and against a top 100 in the world no less (nowdays it would be like 2680~ to 2700 i believe)
@@shlomoshlomo963 someone said in a comment earlier, that bobby was playing to a 2750-2800 level, which means he was literally magnus level when he was in his peak
It is amazing that Fisher knew since 1975 the format in which tours should be played. He plain told them and these idiots still haven't changed anything 50 years later. We still have a format that is made for draws.. Simply baffling
Nice video. More historical content is great. Also can you do some sort of a video about positional chess. May be covering some Karpov games. I think the biggest problem for intermediate players is positional chess
I think any modern player has an unfair advantage vs past players. Bobby might be as talented as magnus but its incredibly unlikely he'd be able to avoid deep engine prep simply getting him a worse position from the very start. Computers and modern training technology have made a massive gap in chess strength the last few decades.
@@caius6019 Of course. There is not doubt about that and I agree. But I still think it would be interesting to see how he would deal with that in raw form.
I remember the 1992 match. And I think it likely that the US State Department would have paid little attention to Fischer, and probably would not have made a warrant for his arrest. But remember that during a live press conference, Fischer produced a copy of the letter from the State Department, warning him not to play the match, and then spit on it, on camera. It was perfect news reel fodder. The State Department does not take that kind of disrespect "laying down". It was only after him spitting on the letter that they really diligently went after Fischer.
Thanks for the video, Levy. I do appreciate historical chess content. On that note, #suggestion: We had a few World Championship matches throughout history that ended in a tie before rapid tiebreakers were a thing (where the champion would retain his title). How about a video analyzing those matches and how the outcome may have changed looking at the rapid/blitz head-to-head between the world champs and their challengers? Would love to see your take on those cases. Keep up with the good work!
Levy being all hype about Fischer "inventing increment" while Fischer actually not caring about the freaking USA, thus inventing "Chess speaks for itself" is beyond me
1) I remember that Spassky beat Fisher with the King’s Gambit. Also, apparently it bugged Fisher enough that he studied the King’s Gambit, and wrote an article about how it is “flawed.” No one ever shows that game or explains what flaw Fisher saw in it. Could you analyze the game AND talk about Fisher’s article? Also, did anyone ever try the King’s Gambit on Bobby after his article? Did his analysis and claim of a flaw payoff for him? 2) Please show Tal. I love his games vs Fisher. It’s cool to see someone terrorize Fisher, and then see Fisher overcome them. Tal’s championship match against Botvinik is also really fun, and I’d love to hear your analysis of it.
Great recap Levy. If I remember correctly, Kasparov said Fischer Spassky 2 (1992), was chess of 1972. He wasn't impressed. Fischer for his part said the Kasparov Karpov WC matches were rigged. Say what you will about Fischer's mental health, he was sane enough not to challenge Kasparov to a match.
Unpopular opinion -- many will say they don't like chess drama, like the one we just witnessed, but in reality, youtube channels such as these, benefit immensely from the drama -- their clicks, video views, subscribers all go through the roof, because of the added interest and attention. Btw, this is not said in a pejorative manner, simply as an observation. Cheers.
Fischer's 10-win condition is the same that prevailed during the very first official World Championship, between Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort, in 1886. Bur Kasparov-Karpov proved quite conclusively that such an open-ended contest is not realistic. And in any case, it clearly favors the player who is in better physical condition. It allows a win by physically outlasting the opposition, and not necessarily out playing the opposition. And Fischer demanded he keep the title, in the event of a 9-9 tie. That cannot be fair.
Great content! I am big fan of Fischer and I didnt know all that about the "rematch" of 92. Thanks. Future content? I would like to see Tal - Bottvinik (preferably both matches)
Bobby Fischer was still the Lineal Chess World Champion in 1992. The man who had beat the man. He had a legitimate claim to the title just like boxing and several other sports.
Fischer was undoubtedly a great player but I still think that he ranks below Kasparov and Carlsen, and, just in my opinion, Karpov (very underrated player IMO)
Hi Levy, I religiously watch all your videos and that was definitely one of your best! Can you please make one on Capa and his world championship successes, detailing his endgame mastery?? Thank you for considering the idea.
Expelliarmus never reflected the Killing Curse. That's impossible. In volume 4 in the graveyard, it's Priori Incantatem, the connection of the twin cores in Harry's and Voldemort's wands, that makes the two wands unable to work against each other. In volume seven, in the Great Hall when Harry and Voldemort come face to face again, Voldemort uses the Elder wand. However, the Elder wand had choosen Harry as its master, because he disarmed Draco Malfoy, who disarmed Dumbledore. Thus, it didn't allow its user, Voldemort, to kill Harry.
Something I liked about Spassky is that when Fischer got arrested, he demanded his release. Finally he stated, "If you won't release him, put me in his cell with a chess board."
Spassky was an ultimate gamesman.
I'd never heard that quote. Legendary. Thank you for the history.
Like Fischer said in 1972: Spassky is a real sportsman!! And a gentleman as well!
Boris spassky is underrated world chess champion
I'd hate being stuck in a cell with that freak. Imagine the fucking rants he'd go on.
@@Muffinmurdurer they'd bond over antisemitism the second Fischer mentioned Jewish people, which you know would take 15 second tops.
Fischer's performance rating from this match was 2660, which would have put him at #10 in the world on the January 1993 fide rating list. He did this after not playing chess for TWENTY YEARS at the age of 50. Simply incredible.
That’s right I did
Wait isn't elo calculated only form wins and losses?
@@oxiosophy Draws count for elo as well
@@oxiosophy And this is performance rating not elo
In 1992 Fischers rating of 2780 would put him tied for number 1. Ratings don't degrade with time if you don't play, you just get removed from. The elo ratings gs list. So starting the match fischer was rated #1 in the world, he was spraying spasski who was rated the bottom on the top 100. Fischers performance is not that impressive and him staying in the top ten from starting at tied for #1 is not impressive ether.
“Chess doesn't drive people mad, it keeps mad people sane” - Bill Hartston
"Chess doesn't keep mad people sane, it drives sane people mad"-Real Life
Yeh, Bill Hartston said that.
...but you're not that guy, pal. Trust me, you're not that guy
@@mrchoon2010 he literally is That Guy though
@@plaguedoc7727 more like -you not -real life
@@alonewanderer4697 He might be That Guy, but he's not _that_ guy
I feel like the thumbnails never get enough attention, they are really well made!
Yeah this one looks particularly good. Very eye catching.
funniest one is "The Best Draw in Chess History"
Thanks
@Adal Heathen ur lucky we cant do pin of shame on replays
Agreed
Fischer is an all time great regardless and a genius who was simply ahead of his time on the chess board. His story and that of Morphy and Sultan Khan are simply unbelievable and also sad in that they weren't able to do justice to their talents. Perhaps if chess had sports psychologists like they have in different sports now then maybe such talents could have been fostered better. Fischer should have been better handled by the US admin despite his outbursts. He gave the US a strong ideological bragging right at an intellectual sport and at the height of the cold war rivalry. Regardless of his stances later he deserved better. A lot better.
Levy, your historical chess game videos are amongst your best videos! Your talent for storytelling equals your talent for commentating games, and that makes these videos so much fun!
I totally agree I can not say it better. than you. and thank you as well.
I completely agree - it is quite fascinating how I'm simply never bored listening to this man speak.
It's worth nothing that Bobby's proposal reportedly lost by a single vote. It's also worth noting that the conditions Fischer demanded for a return match with Karpov we're no different and even more fair than previous conditions set by Botvinnik who demanded an instant rematch.
These match ends in his favor if it's tied 9/9. That condition alone is just insane
@@aluminiumknight4038 not really, in 1954 the match was tied and Botvinnik retained the title. Fischer's conditions were more fair than those set previously and champions have always asserted some sort of change, they just happened to have rejected Fischer's change.Honestly his made more sense than having a rapid game deciding the outcome.
@@aluminiumknight4038 That "tie goes to the title holder" custom goes back to the early days of chess world championships, so there was nothing new or unusual about it. In fact, the great Emanuel Lasker retained his title in the 1910 championship match against Schlechter only by tying the challenger, not by actually winning the match.
@@kabeerchawla4776 wtf? How is it OK to end the match when it's all on one game
@@michaels4255 dude the match was supposed to be 10 wins, he wanted to end it if it was tied 9/9
I personally went to those matches several times.
Let me give you a bit of context. Serbia was a living hellhole at the time, like Venezuela today, except with a war happening right next door and even more of a pariah status. The average salaries were a couple of euros a MONTH and hyperinflation was rampant. Nothing worked, nothing functioned, crime and violence were everywhere and people were just desperate to survive somehow. You were essentially considered upper-middle-class if you weren't starving. The entire country was completely sealed off and travel out of it was next to impossible, perhaps the worst sanctions in human history. Today, no country would ever face such sanctions since the world is no longer unipolar and you could never get a vote for it in the UN.
In this context, imagine a 10 year old kid in this situation, entering the Sava Center with one of my grandparents, a glitzy convention center. The entrance was free. It was literally the event of the year so the place was packed. I believe even the drinks were free or purchasable for a very low price. It was the atmosphere of a cocktail party. People wore their best clothes. I didn't understand a single bit of chess theory, but just a chance to watch something this big was absolutely magical. It gave me hope to endure the coming years.
Oh, and on a final note the guy organizing it, Jezdimir Vasiljević, was a major crook who ultimately stole hundreds of millions of dollars from desperate people looking to invest into his bank. I mean, the state took most of it, but he eloped with quite a bit.
did Serbia have a lot of murders like Venezuela though
@@elpibe1924 I don't think the violence ever got as bad as in the poorer parts of South America, but it was still quite bad for European standards. Criminals fought and killed each other in broad daylight. If you had a fancier pair of sneakers you might run the risk of someone approaching you and forcing you to give it to them. Bullying and fights in schools were endemic, as well as between football gangs. Other than that, I guess the one saving grace was that if you weren't part of the criminal ruling class, no one would likely target you since you had very little money on you anyway. One could say the state already did the robbing part.
@@elpibe1924 even better, they had genocides
We scream about inflation lately in the U.S.A., but many have no idea! I was in Jugoslavija the year before this match, and one day, they just moved the decimal point a few places on the currency! And out came "new money," smaller bills. Imagine having a dollar turn into less than ten cents, overnight! But even long after his death, they still loved Tito. It is a shame that such a vicious war broke out the following year. Most of the people are wonderful, but the nationalism that took over there now tries to infect us here. - j q t -
@@elpibe1924 Serbia is far more safer than the western cities and countries. This all happened 30 years ago, and the media satanised Serbs because of the politics. Serbs are one of the most welcoming people on this planet.
Wow, I never knew Bobby Fischer invented increment... that's pretty insane, it always seemed like such a natural thing to have in chess. As most of the other comments have said, I absolutely love when you make historical chess content and think you should definitely do more, they're always some of your best work.
Imagine.... Bobby Fischer was the only US-born world chess champion during 50+ years of complete Soviet chess domination. Yet, the Soviets were kinder to the US champion than the US government itself.
Fischer broke US law, he didn't break Soviet law. Yet the US was extremely kind to Fischer. He didn't pay his taxes for years and they didn't go after him. They didn't pursue him very hard after the match. Being the former world champion doesn't make you above the law, that's an odd definition of kindness.
Bootlicker@@GraemeCree
please cover the history of the soviet chess school, would be fascinating to learn about the styles and approach to the game that saw that succession of champions from botvinnik up to kasparov and kramnik.
I come from Serbia and this is a very well known fact in our country that this match happened. We love our chess. Or at least we used to cherish it more than we do today. But after the chess boom in 2020 many young kids started playing chess and some people for whom I would never be able to tell that they love chess, started playing it. So I hope that one day some grand masters can come out from our country. I personally know a kid who is 8 years old who is really good so there is hope!
I think Fischer was the most talented player of all time. To do what he did pre computer age is hard to fathom. Having to get all his education from books and a board on front of him is incredible. No engine to check his lines, no giant databases to prep for opponents, just incredible.
Yes but that it's true for every other player from that time, it's not that he won against people who got computers...
@@lorenzo97tth562 from 1970 to 1972 Fischer was a beast. Look at what he did in the Candidates, he was levels above anyone else at that time.
what about Morphy? he reached his level without computers or books but rather just by observing some games
@@Janet_Airlines802 Morphy was even better, theory wasn’t fletched out in his time. Also Fischer peaked then disappeared so he has no longevity unfortunately
@@lorenzo97tth562 not really. Most players had teams of people analyzing positions, proposing lines, etc. Bobby did everything by himself. He didn’t just defeat Spassky, but the entire combined effort of the best Soviet chess players alive at the time.
Don't get me wrong, I love all your recaps. But this one in particular was one of the best. Incredible commentary, explaining everything in detail very well, just a blast. Story time was also sick. Great video.
Also, Fischer was a SAVAGE
I agree
fischer is my favourite chess player
@@EGS3586 Great chess player...but an awful person.
And an ANTISEMETIST... he has issues
@@gamer9smith had*
absolutely love these historic videos and been missing them, hope to see more in the future!
there's just something about levy's old videos that are just so enchanting to watch, love this channel so much
i love when gotham makes videos of old games
Just a note from someone who lived in Yugoslavia '92 - Organiser (Jezdimir Vasiljevic) was not an entrepreneur/businessman, but a scammer (and convicted criminal) that was close to the ruling party of president Slobodan Milosevic (died in Hague in 2006, while being tried for war crimes).
He was arrested after his Bank was found to be a Ponzi/pyramid scheme - his bank was giving >10% monthly for savings in hard currency (USD/EUR), by paying it with new customers' savings. Needless to say, the government knew what he was doing, but did nothing, course he bought a few months of "social peace" in war thorned country, and he was helping the country (smuggling) the oil, whose import was banned by the Internationally imposed sanctions. Of course, they "tried" to arrest him, when he started to fail to give back people their money, but he "somehow" got over the border in March of 1993.
He did return a decade or so later, and was even convicted to a relatively small sentence (5 years), but he was released just after the trial ended (he spent 5 years in jail during the trial).
In 2013. he even participated in a reality show on government propaganda TV - Yep, not much political/judicial progress happened in Serbia since the 90s.
By the way, a US law (not the Internation) is the one that sanctioned the play of Fischer in Yugoslavia (or to be paid by Yugoslav entity, to be precise), Spassky, a French citizen at the time (from '70s), didn't have that problem.
Edit: I was writing this comment, while the video played in the background, so I just saw that Levy did mention the whole Vasiljevic thing. Kudos to Levy for not missing those kinds of details!
There are a lot of Fischer stories.
The one that stuck to me was when the Russians colluded against him - they were doing 20-30 move Draws against each other while going full strength against Bobby.
Unfortunately, the phenomena of top players in a tournament taking easy draws against each other and beating up on the weakies is something that's been plaguing chess for over a century. What made that tournament unusual was that Fischer was one of the weakies.
But very commonplace. A couple of years back there were 7 players fighting for 6 qualifying spots. Six of them (including Nakamura) went easy on each other and beat up on Needleman, the one guy significantly weaker than the others. It wasn't "collusion", there's no need for collusion in such a case. The strategy is too obvious to need discussion.
My dad was watching this game live for free and pretty much the whole of Belgrade became circled around chess for the few days that they were there, which was truly brilliant, he also told me that he was standing and commentating on the game alongside jezda, the criminal that funded the match
the US Department of the Treasury warned Fischer before the start of the match that his participation was illegal, that it would violate President George H. W. Bush's Executive Order 12810 imposing United Nations Security Council Resolution 757 sanctions against engaging in economic activities in Yugoslavia In response, during the first scheduled press conference on September 1, 1992, in front of the international press, Fischer spat on the US order, saying "this is my reply"
Well I was broke and needed money. What would you do?
Expelled for playing chess in a country that no longer even exists now
Thank you. This cements my great respect for Bobby Fischer and cements my contempt for the US federal government !
Good on Bobby Fischer for saying exactly what is also on the minds of billions of people around the world to the US government.
That's a common myth, that Fischer didn't break the law, just an Executive Order. Not true, the law Fischer broke was the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Executive Order simply told him to obey that law, which he failed to do.
Bobby Fischer was a genius, he invented increment and Fischer random chess.
I am curious about the other character in this story - Boris Spassky. Everything I have heard about his is that he is a true gentleman who maintained a high level of respect for Fischer and never really blamed him for all the nonsense of the 1972 match. Meanwhile Spassky was under the thumb of the Soviet system for so many years. What motivated him to face Fischer in 1992? The money? Curiosity about Fischer's condition? I understand he donated some memorabilia recently to the hall of fame in St. Louis for their 50 year anniversary exhibit of the 1972 match. Spassky is an interesting dude in his own right.
it looks like Fischer and Spassky were some sort of comrades
Spassky was in serious need of money
@@hellopleychess3190 Both of them were non-conformists in their own countries.
i heard in some place Fisher say Spassky kind love and respect chess like him. Maybe is that the connection, both appreciate to much chess, and together had truly challenges.
They were lovers /s
About a month ago I spoke with the man who made the clock for this match, he became Fishers close friend during that time and he told me some interesting stories about him.
care to share?
I would love to hear some, wow
I'm sure people who met him have some extremely...interesting things to say about him
@@htwa if i remember correctly, Fisher would would wait for him at the train station every week when he came to the city where he lived at the time, but one time he wasnt there waiting, so he went to look for Fisher at his hotel, when he got to his room the door was slightly ajar, so he went in calling out for Fisher without a response, when he entered the room he noticed something behind him and grabbed it and threw it over him, that was Fisher hiding behind the door with a tazer trying to taze him (the guy was a former karate champion of Yugoslavia)
@@vladapavic9514 lmao this mf was crazy
Bobby was incredible.
No chess engines in his day, no one to help him, did everything on his own.
The US government was also insane to go after somebody who had been their hero during the Cold War. Kudos to tiny Iceland for standing up against them.
Thanks for this. You went rather fast over the last "episode" (which is a very interesting in my opinion (at least for an Icelander), and therefore all this writing). Bobby was jailed in Japan for half a year, and the government of Iceland gave Bobby Icelandic citizenship to save him from this unhuman prisonment - a way out. So he was an Icelander in for the remaining years of his live, and wanted to by burried here. He was left a lone, everybody knew about him and he was free to do what ever he wanted to do without being "interrupted". The sad part of this was the way he was treated, as he was obviously a sick man. Man that had a very difficult childhood, grew up in a very poor family - with his mother and siter, but his father was not around (...and "all that" father "issue" is another story which people should look up, Jewish hade later in live, does that have some past in that?) "alone" in a very small flat in NY and the only friend was the 64 black and white tiles. Learning to play buy studying and playing with him self. His mother, which was fighting to survive, financly, was hunted (her live no made easier) by the US government - thinking that she was some kind of a spy (at that time in the US there was a lot of strange things going on due to the cold war) So, even though she was highly intelligent, highly educated, she did not "make it" in the land of the opertunities, and they struckled to survive. So, back to Bobby, and the final stages of his live - Why could the US government not just let him be? This was obviously a sick man - That way he got the "channel" to say all kind of things that were not "good", for anybody, and things only got wors mainly for Bobby him self. Bobby was a man that fighted and won the USSR chess machine single handed (a machine that had helt firm grip on the world title in chess for decates) - in the height days of the cold war. Henry Kissinger knew all about how importand this match was, as a probaganda and got involved to make it happen. So the everybody knew how important this victory was for the US. Bobby died in Iceland at the age of 64 (which is ...yea think about it!), is burried in a semitary in a small village in Iceland, according to his wish - the greatest chess player US has ever owned and will ever own in the future - sad ending, but the Icelandic government did the right "act" to save him from this deadlock that the US government had put him in.
Dropped by his grave site on my trip to Iceland this summer. I stopped in the nearby Fischer Chess Center and happened to be there during an event celebrating 72 match. It was all in German I believe, and I couldn't understand what was going on, but it was neat to be there then.
I think he should be honored as a citizen of Iceland, and the honor should belong to them, rather than the US, and I'm a citizen of the US. But the treatment they gave him or lack thereof, Iceland showed who really allowed Fischer to simply be. Sad story, a damn shame.
I think that if Fischer was born 40 years later, had access to modern theory and opportunity to train with engines he would cross 3000 elo today.
judging from his interviews, he more than likely wouldn’t have played chess
Wow, Greater storytelling ! I followed the Fischer saga on another channel but the way you zoom in on this particular event with your own Gotham speed and energy really makes it come alive. Thank you
Great video. Only people over a certain age understand how incredibly important the 1972 match was. It was way, way beyond just a chess championship. It was the US versus the Soviet Union, capitalism versus communism, individual versus the collective. Everyone in the US was following it, whether they ever played a chess game of not. This is way before Bobby went nuts; he was still a normal person who happened to be the greatest chess player of all time. Every person in the US was rooting for him, and nothing ever did as much for the popularization of the game than that championship.
It was basically the chess version of Louis vs. Schmeling II.
I'd love to see a video series on the top greats of chess we all have heard and have built the foundations of theory and chess on a whole. maybe weekly vid, 12 or 16 chapters on the biggest names up to today. The old champions still have wonderful games to explore and mean so much to where we are at now
Magic in Harry Potter just does whatever J.K.Rolling wants for the drama and is conveniently forgotten outside of that scope
People have wondered why if time travel was possible they only used it once and just forgot it existed afterwards?
@@cluelessmango768 There's a moment in Order of the Phoenix where an ensuing battle between the Hogwarts kids and death eaters has a spell hit a shelf full of time-turners, destroying all of them. Likely a response from Rowling getting frustrated of people asking that question.
@@GIR177 also, there are many side effects of time travel In hp. For example, if you went back one year you would have to go through the entire year again to get back to where you started. Essentially there is no way back. This can also cause ageing problems. If you went back 10 years you will seem to have aged by 10 years immediately by people in the present. Also, like Hermione said, imagine if you see yourself what would you do. There will be paradoxes as well. Thus, time travel is a heavily guarded part of magic in the hp universe.
Watched the whole video, very instructive and educational. 10/10 would suggest
Sure, I’m 30 seconds
@@flade- Hi 30 seconds
@@flade- hi 30 seconds, I'm dad
heh?
Soo sad that I have to remember the sad story of how his own nation didn't support him enough during his hard times.. Bobby Fischer was my idol who inspired me to play chess...
Hey Levy, I was dying for a chess history video, thank you for this. Please do a video on the world championship match between Capablanca and Alekhine.
He got too vocal about his own tribe..
Bobby fischer is an absolute legend
Learning details of the greatest chess players is very motivating and GothamChess is the perfect actor/teacher for that for sure.
There’s a much more intuitive mating net at 13:30 than the one you showed that’s also mate in 3 which is just Kb5 Nc3+ and if he takes on b4 than ra4#. If not then nbd5 and u can’t stop b3#
McDonnell vs. La Bourdonnais would be a fun game to recap. Really, the famous games from the Romantic era of chess are all pretty cool.
the story of fischer is honestly one of the most depressing and most impactful things to happen in the chess world. he went from being a small boy in new york to becoming a literal soldier for the united states against the soviets playing chess, dominating the field for several fields and becoming undisputed. its such a tragedy how he lost his mind from being super isolated and all but even abused in japan and in his later years when he disappeared from the public. thanks levy i remember you made a clip stating you were thinking of showing this match, its a very instructive video and i hope many understand how much impact fischer left on the chess world, it was not a lightful world but a dark era for chess in general so yea cheers
he got abused in Japan?
@@robinder_ yeah in prison :/
These story pieces that examine the history of some of the game's greats are so freaking good. You're a damned good storyteller, Levy.
"Some of his views weren't fully acceptable today". Yeah, let's minimize hatemongering.
Fischer never asked for any conditions that weren't best or normal from past eras. His terms were accepted later by the Soviets after Bobby left the game. They held the title for 6 more years by stealth. Fischer was the all-time greatest chess champion & all the other champs know it. Case closed. Ask Magnus. He'll say so if above the influence of Kasparov. That's chess in the 20th century.
Storytelling at its finest. Some history, some tragedy, some comedy… (ie: almost Shakespearean), but the old bard surely lacked fascinating chess content. Well played sir.
Hey Levy. I'm from Belgrade, Serbia, and your knowledge of history is impressive. A lot of americans don't know what Europe is, not to mention Yugoslavia etc... And you pronounce names incredibly. Great job right here mate. Have a nice day!
Uvek odlicno izgovara imena na originalnom jeziku. Sad je malo zajebao oko Beograda, ali moze da prodje
nice video! that was one of the most interesting match of chess. every chess player was watching the games, they were all curios about how Fischer would have played!
sadly, Kasparov said that it was a match between two old guys whose style was still from the 70s.
anyway, you haven't mentioned the most interesting fact: the president of the USA sent a letter to Bobby saying that he cannot play in Jugoslavia, because all the tensions you said also... and Bobby, after reading the letter in front of the camera, letterally SPIT on the letter! amazing Bobbyyyyy!!!!!
all these facts as well as his history are covered on a documentary that I have. it is called "Bobby Fischer against the world". Amazing movie!
Fun fact: As it wasn't contested, the prize money raised for the '75 WCC match helped to fund the "Thrilla in Manila" fight.
historical vids like this are pretty cool, and adding touches of what happened to the players outside of chess was nice. Idk if there is much content to be made like this, but its very enjoyable
Levy I really enjoyed this video, I like how you went through these games without talking about engine lines or evaluation. Peace bro
Video was great Levy. Super educational and entertaining and I really appreciate that you simultaneously didn't shy away from the stain on Fisher's legacy without also dedicating too much time to it. I think that is an appropriate way to acknowledge the issue without making it the centerpiece.
Bobby Fischer was not only banned but also persecuted by US administration for this match. Ironically, he fell from a hero in 1972 to a traitor in 1992 for playing the same guy.
Its weird how the US can ban somebody from playing in another country, i found that to be extremely fascist and non democratic.
We are a VERY emotional country.
In fact, everyone under U.N. jurisdiction in any country was forbidden to engage in any commercial or promotional activity in the "Former Republics of the SFR of Yugoslavia.' Because the war was ragging on and some of its darkest chapters were in active developening at the moment. This blocade was a way to keep foreign powers out of the fight and the warlords far from any trade revenue.
Of course is up to each country to enforce U.N. resolutiions on their nationals and it was seldom overlooked, but the whole thing was too noisy to cover-up.
Saddest of all, they played for money because they were broke.
Then you should think about it a bit more. Playing sports for money is a business, and countries often sanction other countries, sometimes harming their own citizens in the process. The embargo on South Africa in the 70-80s (which included sports and arts) clearly had a major impact on the country, for one example. Paul Simon still gets a lot of hate for violating it. In the 90s, Yugoslavia was doing some horrific things, and to call the US fascist for trying to fight back against that is very misguided.
There are but two superstars that I know of who could put a war on hold.
Pele played and put a revolution on pause for a day, Bobby and Boris put the war on pause.
Bobby messed up US military savagery
A tragic story, Imagine If he got the help he needed how great he could have been.
Fischer played with a novelty, the increment. But it was David Bronstein the first to talk about it. Some digital clocks even have Bronstein's mode.
Should revisit that first to 10 wins ideas. Draws suck >_>.
He was like Einstein of chess, everyone slowly accepts his ideas as time passes
If Einstein was a paranoid antisemitic hermit, then yes.
@@sphinxman5578 in more ways than one yes 😂
@@sphinxman5578 oh stfu. Anti semitism is just knowing history and what theyve done and CONTINUE TO DO. Bobby was a genius in everything but when he makes 1 observation and opinion on it about semites hes suddenly just a numpty?
Glorify Undefinable, The Answerer or The Stabilizer of Worlds
Controllers of Body, By eternal Existence rely to Undefinable alone, be Serene and judge by how Matter executes! The Identity can exist in every possibility!
Ask guidance and things You can't get to The Answerer, THAT allowed You into this body, THAT gave truth for clean-minded in Subconscious, and avoid numbness!
All ways looked in depth mentions Lord of Existence, and don't use what is unknown, until You will understand it! Shape Your own makings, and You will be supported!
Blessed is Controller of Man united with intuition and subtle joy! That relies to The Originator alone, That chooses by the best, That hears brainwaves and sees eye pixels!
The life can be mastered, for rules were made simple to Observant! Don't be fearful of destiny, because We're parts of Possibilities, that have freewill with Serenity!
With wonders of DNA nature and fat-stores fasting, be satisfied! Forbid high anti-nutrient, PUFA, synthetic food - allow wheatgrass, fruit seeds and ferment food!
Universe remains to its original law, and don't change adaptable bodies in ignorance! Trial is what evil awaited and good missed!
Challenging are the days of Illusion and a sad burden to anyone that didn't seek independence, no first-cause is miracle-free!
Great are the days of Responsibility that nourish the Soul! We have always existed! Everything is possible, You're in this body!
Simulation theory is insufficient, and lucid dreams are managed by nutritionally sufficient and aware!
The World is created for Observer's favor! Whole Multiverse is in perfection for Purpose! Matter adapts, has paired like! Current place is special by The Stabilizer!
@@sphinxman5578 well if ur people abandon the one who saves them they deserve to be kicked out of most countrys
As one of those that jumped in the cheers bandwagon during COVID-19, I'm liking the history of cheers element of this vid. Would make another good series.
Fisher was one of the best and strongest tactical player ever, he is also my favorite player.
Fischer wasn't a tactical player.
@@shauntaylor6040 see his game them you will know how good tactician he was
suggestion: The fascinating win of Max Euwe from the Netherlands for the WC in 1935 against Alekhine.
I remember following Fischer/Spassky II from the games printed in USAToday newspaper. No internet, RUclips, commentary were available at the time.
This is the most saddest story in history of chess. From world champ to exiled. Would have loved to see what he might have done to chess.
Videos of historical games, and especially crazy attacks, will NEVER get old
Txs Gotham☆ U made my day! Exact what we need. More of this Fischer history chess content👍
I’ve been waiting for thus video for months and now it’s here! keep it up with this historical stuff, we love it
It's amazing how in game 1 of this match after Spassky played a dubious move, Fischer, despite not having played seriously for the past 2 decades punishes him with razor-sharp accuracy!
I mean he did train for the game with a GM in the Philippines. But yeah he didn't play competitive chess for 2 decades very impressive and against a top 100 in the world no less (nowdays it would be like 2680~ to 2700 i believe)
@@shlomoshlomo963 someone said in a comment earlier, that bobby was playing to a 2750-2800 level, which means he was literally magnus level when he was in his peak
It is amazing that Fisher knew since 1975 the format in which tours should be played. He plain told them and these idiots still haven't changed anything 50 years later. We still have a format that is made for draws..
Simply baffling
Nice video. More historical content is great. Also can you do some sort of a video about positional chess. May be covering some Karpov games. I think the biggest problem for intermediate players is positional chess
Passed away at the age of 64, for every square of the board.
The aggression of Fischer vs The airtight play of Magnus.
I think any modern player has an unfair advantage vs past players. Bobby might be as talented as magnus but its incredibly unlikely he'd be able to avoid deep engine prep simply getting him a worse position from the very start. Computers and modern training technology have made a massive gap in chess strength the last few decades.
@@caius6019 Of course. There is not doubt about that and I agree. But I still think it would be interesting to see how he would deal with that in raw form.
yasser's breakdown on this match is also fantastic
Thanks for sharing!
No Regrets is a fantastic book
I remember the 1992 match. And I think it likely that the US State Department would have paid little attention to Fischer, and probably would not have made a warrant for his arrest. But remember that during a live press conference, Fischer produced a copy of the letter from the State Department, warning him not to play the match, and then spit on it, on camera. It was perfect news reel fodder. The State Department does not take that kind of disrespect "laying down". It was only after him spitting on the letter that they really diligently went after Fischer.
he was simply too based
I absolutely love these historic chess events and especially your commentary. Make more of these
Fascinating video Levi, thank you for this. Fischer's life is a sad, but deeply interesting story!
Thanks for the video, Levy. I do appreciate historical chess content.
On that note, #suggestion: We had a few World Championship matches throughout history that ended in a tie before rapid tiebreakers were a thing (where the champion would retain his title). How about a video analyzing those matches and how the outcome may have changed looking at the rapid/blitz head-to-head between the world champs and their challengers?
Would love to see your take on those cases. Keep up with the good work!
Levy being all hype about Fischer "inventing increment" while Fischer actually not caring about the freaking USA, thus inventing "Chess speaks for itself" is beyond me
oh, and he also invented "literally not caring", like, has any USA player done anything besides modernizing FIscher? not really
@@kheireddineattala1281 The invention speaks for itself
@@AnubhabLeo Speaking for itself speaks for itself
There was a fairly interesting game in that match in which Fischer played a wing gambit vs Spassky in the Sicilian.
1) I remember that Spassky beat Fisher with the King’s Gambit. Also, apparently it bugged Fisher enough that he studied the King’s Gambit, and wrote an article about how it is “flawed.” No one ever shows that game or explains what flaw Fisher saw in it. Could you analyze the game AND talk about Fisher’s article? Also, did anyone ever try the King’s Gambit on Bobby after his article? Did his analysis and claim of a flaw payoff for him?
2) Please show Tal. I love his games vs Fisher. It’s cool to see someone terrorize Fisher, and then see Fisher overcome them. Tal’s championship match against Botvinik is also really fun, and I’d love to hear your analysis of it.
3:04 Even levy is a virat kohli fan 😅
thank u for all the uploads despite travelling , I admire ur dedication
Great recap Levy. If I remember correctly, Kasparov said Fischer Spassky 2 (1992), was chess of 1972. He wasn't impressed. Fischer for his part said the Kasparov Karpov WC matches were rigged. Say what you will about Fischer's mental health, he was sane enough not to challenge Kasparov to a match.
Unpopular opinion -- many will say they don't like chess drama, like the one we just witnessed, but in reality, youtube channels such as these, benefit immensely from the drama -- their clicks, video views, subscribers all go through the roof, because of the added interest and attention. Btw, this is not said in a pejorative manner, simply as an observation. Cheers.
that was a beautiful story, thanks for telling it to us, Levy
Fischer's 10-win condition is the same that prevailed during the very first official World Championship, between Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort, in 1886. Bur Kasparov-Karpov proved quite conclusively that such an open-ended contest is not realistic. And in any case, it clearly favors the player who is in better physical condition. It allows a win by physically outlasting the opposition, and not necessarily out playing the opposition. And Fischer demanded he keep the title, in the event of a 9-9 tie. That cannot be fair.
On f-ing time brutha; love how you are able to bring interesting information from the past which is relevant!!
Is Fischer the GOAT? Remember, Carlsen has computers and a team...Fischer singlehandedly beat the world. What do you think?
Bobby was a chess genius and the greatest of all time...
I’d love to hear you do little documentaries on accomplished Chess players; just you, your camera, and the story!
You had Alekhine's gun finally in a video and you call it a triple stack?? It was right there LEVY!!!!
Great content! I am big fan of Fischer and I didnt know all that about the "rematch" of 92. Thanks. Future content? I would like to see Tal - Bottvinik (preferably both matches)
Bobby Fischer was still the Lineal Chess World Champion in 1992. The man who had beat the man. He had a legitimate claim to the title just like boxing and several other sports.
Love your content man, thank you for bringing the greatest game of all time to so many.
You are parially right, but Fischer said he will retained his title but he rejected FIDE. He tried to do what Garry Kasperov did in the 90's.
Fischer was undoubtedly a great player but I still think that he ranks below Kasparov and Carlsen, and, just in my opinion, Karpov (very underrated player IMO)
Long time listener, first time caller.. this is one of your best uploads of all time.
The irony of him doing at 64..just like the squares in a chessboard..incredible
Hi Levy, I religiously watch all your videos and that was definitely one of your best! Can you please make one on Capa and his world championship successes, detailing his endgame mastery?? Thank you for considering the idea.
Expelliarmus never reflected the Killing Curse. That's impossible. In volume 4 in the graveyard, it's Priori Incantatem, the connection of the twin cores in Harry's and Voldemort's wands, that makes the two wands unable to work against each other. In volume seven, in the Great Hall when Harry and Voldemort come face to face again, Voldemort uses the Elder wand. However, the Elder wand had choosen Harry as its master, because he disarmed Draco Malfoy, who disarmed Dumbledore. Thus, it didn't allow its user, Voldemort, to kill Harry.
Bronstein invented the "delay" clock before Fischer invented increments.
What I love about Mr. Fischer is what he said about a certain group of people, even though he was part of that same group. A true legend.
he was not a part of them, idiot.