Boris Spassky, Iconic Russian Chess Player, Passes Away at 88
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Synopsis
The chess community mourns the loss of Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion, who died at 88. A prodigious talent, he became a Grandmaster at 18 and won the world title in 1969, leaving a lasting legacy in the chess world.
Key Takeaways
- Boris Spassky was a chess prodigy who became a Grandmaster at 18.
- He won the World Chess Championship in 1969.
- Spassky is known for his historic matches against Fischer and Petrosian.
- He represented both the Soviet Union and France in international competitions.
- His contributions to chess will be remembered by future generations.
Moscow, Feb 28 (NationPress) The renowned Russian chess icon and tenth World Chess Champion Boris Spassky passed away at the age of 88 on Thursday, as announced by the Russian Chess Federation.
Born in 1937 in Leningrad, Spassky was recognized as a chess prodigy from a young age. He began his chess journey at the age of 5, achieved the title of international master at 16, and became the world junior champion just two years later. He was the first Soviet player to earn the title of chess prince.
Russian Chess Federation chief Andrey Filatov expressed his sorrow, stating, "A legendary person has left us. Generations of chess players have studied and will continue to study his games. This is a tremendous loss for our country. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. May his memory be bright!"
Spassky earned the Grandmaster title at 18 and made his Candidates Tournament debut in 1956 (Amsterdam) at 19.
FIDE commented, "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.
"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. Rest in peace, Boris Spassky. Your contributions to chess will never be forgotten," FIDE added.
After defeating Keres (1965), Geller (1965), and Tal (1965) in the Candidates matches, Spassky secured the opportunity to challenge Tigran Petrosian for the world title. Although Spassky lost the 1966 match in Moscow, he fought back and triumphed over Petrosian in their rematch (Moscow, 1969) with a score of 12.5–10.5, becoming the tenth World Chess Champion.
Spassky retained the title until 1972, when he famously lost to Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik, a match regarded as one of the most iconic in chess history.
He continued to compete at an elite level, notably reaching the Candidates semifinal in 1974 and the final in 1977. He represented the Soviet team in seven Chess Olympiads (1962–1978), winning thirteen medals (team and individual) and scoring 69 points in 94 games.
In 1976, he emigrated to France with his third wife, became a French citizen in 1978, and later represented France in three Olympiads (1984–1988) on board one. In 2012, Spassky returned to Russia.
