Bobby and Boris

The Bobby Fischer - Boris Spassky chess match in 1972 was one of the most memorable events of my childhood. Fischer passed away last week, and the news coverage brought back memories of that cold-war match-up and the bizarre character that Fischer was. Unfortunately, his opponent, Boris Spassky, will probably not get a front page obituary. So let me say here and now that Boris Spassky is a warm and friendly human being as well as a world chess champion. I had the occasion to meet him at an international chess tournament in North Bay, Ontario. He showed great interest in a tournament game that I was playing and took the time to stop and study it. I went home with a feeling of regret that I had cheered for the other guy in 1972.