Boris Spassky, the tenth World Chess Champion and chess world legend, has died at the age of 88. Spassky, who is most famous for his epic duel with Bobby Fischer in the 1972 World Chess Championship, leaves a legacy that goes far beyond his infamous loss.
Spassky, born in Leningrad in 1937, was a prodigy who rose to prominence in Soviet chess circles. He defeated Tigran Petrosian in the World Chess Championship in 1969, but his reign was ended when he played Fischer in what would be called the “Match of the Century.” The match, played in Reykjavik, Iceland, during the Cold War, was as much a political confrontation as a game of chess, attracting international attention.
Fischer’s win brought an end to 24 years of Soviet domination of chess, and Spassky became an unwilling emblem of his country’s defeat. Although he lost to Fischer, Spassky continued to be a strong and respected player, playing at the top levels for many decades. He emigrated to France later but remained connected to Russia. In his old age, ill health and an enigmatic family conflict overshadowed his last chapter, restricting his public appearances.
His death signifies the end of an era in the history of chess, but his legacy to the game will be remembered for centuries. Spassky’s sportsmanship, grace at the board, and involvement in one of the greatest ever chess games played seal his place as one of the legends of the game.
