MOSCOW — Renowned Soviet-era world chess champion Boris Spassky, who faced a legendary defeat against American Bobby Fischer in the iconic 1972 matchup that mirrored the Cold War tensions, has passed away in Moscow at the age of 88.
The International Chess Federation, the sport’s governing authority, relayed the news of his passing but did not specify the cause of death. The organization hailed Spassky as “one of the greatest players of all time” and noted the profound legacy he left on the world of chess through a post on the social platform X.
The 1972 chess duel between Spassky and Fischer captivated global audiences and garnered the moniker “Match of the Century.” Held at the pinnacle of Cold War rivalries, Fischer’s triumph in Reykjavik, Iceland, marked a historic moment for the United States, as the 29-year-old prodigy from Brooklyn, New York, claimed the nation’s first world chess title.
Fischer, known for his temperamental nature, passed away in 2008. Despite seizing victory from Spassky, Fischer later relinquished his title by refusing to defend it.
Former chess world champion Garry Kasparov shared on X that Spassky “was never above befriending and mentoring the next generation, particularly those, like him, who didn’t fit seamlessly within the Soviet system.”
Spassky relocated to France in 1976, distancing himself from the political climate of his homeland. The chess federation’s website lauded Spassky’s match against Fischer as “one of the most iconic” events in chess history. Yugoslav grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric once remarked on Spassky’s remarkable ability to adapt his style to any opponent, as reported by the Washington Post.
The federation recognized Spassky as “the first genuinely universal player,” not known for specific opening techniques, but excelling in the complex and dynamic middlegame, where he truly thrived.
During that era, the Soviet Union boasted an unbroken chain of world chess championship victories, a streak that Spassky’s loss interrupted. Following his defeat, upon returning to the Soviet Union, he was met with a chilly reception, deemed a national disappointment.
Reflecting on the historic Reykjavik match in a 2022 recollection published by the World Chess Hall of Fame, Spassky expressed, “I feel at home at the chessboard. Our chess kingdom does not have borders.” His candid sentiment emphasized the universal nature of chess and its transcendence beyond geopolitical divides.
