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October 11, 2008 11:16:25 PM CDT

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Chess King Bobby Fischer Dies

Posted Jan 18, 08 7:24 AM CST in World,  Arts & Living,  US 

(Newser) – Chess master Bobby Fischer, who became a Cold War icon when he dethroned Russian Boris Spassky in 1972, has died at age 64 in Iceland, the AP reports. Fischer is considered by many to be the greatest chess player ever, but his genius for the game was often overshadowed by his troubled eccentricities. The Chicago native became America's first world chess champion, but later renounced his citizenship.

Fischer, raised in Brooklyn, beat Spassky in a much-heralded world showdown in Iceland in 1972. He withdrew from the world and competition a few years later when his increasing demands became unacceptable to the International Chess Federation. He emerged in 1992 to beat Spassky again. In recent years, he praised the 9/11 attacks and called the US "evil."

Source Associated Press

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Chess legend Bobby Fischer speaks to the press in his hew home of Reykjavik, Iceland, in this Friday March 25, 2005 file photo. U.S-born Fischer who renounced his U.S. citizenship, has died at the age...   (Associated Press)
Chess legend Bobby Fischer speaks to the press in his hew home of Reykjavik, Iceland, in this Friday March 25, 2005 file photo. U.S-born Fischer who renounced his U.S. citizenship, has died at the age...   (Associated Press)
Chess star Bobby Fischer is seen in New York, in this April 28, 1962 file photo. U.S-born Fischer, who renounced his U.S. citizenship, has died at the age of 64 at his home in Reykjavik, Iceland's Channel...   (Associated Press)
Bobby Fischer of the U.S. right, and Boris Spassky of Russia, play their last game together in Reykjavik, Iceland, in this Aug. 31, 1972 file photo. Fischer who renounced his U.S. citizenship, has died...   (Associated Press)
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obituary  • Cold War  • Iceland  • chess  • International Chess Federation


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