Larsen was Fischer's second for a time, he also hung out for months with Benko and Evans. he had to have known how striong Fischer was. Instead Larsen gets quoted spouting idicocies!

Fisher in 1964 wins the U.S. champio nship 11-0. Larsen says that Keres told him Keres would win a match against Fischer 8-2.

As I write above, he was always just below the very best (although to be #3-10 in the world for 15 years or so is no mean feat of course). There is a reason he only got as far as the Candidates Semi-Finals. Even if his working conditions were not ideal, he made the most of it, and I agree that he more or less achived what was possible for him.

However, in his own perception, he was "unlucky" and he firmly believes (or so it seems) that he could have been world champion. There is a comment by <Poulsen> on page 6 or so that explains this character trait very well, so I won't go deeper into it here. Suffice it to say that his ego has often clouded his judgments.

I would like to see your sources on the quote, though. I know Larsen has made some very blatant statements, but some of them are made in a jocular fashion. Taken out of context, quotes are often misleading. Larsen's relationship with Fischer wasn't entirely bad, and from his writings it is clear that he holds him in very high esteem as a chessplayer.

As a person who would be expected to know Fischer a bit more than the average GM, Larsen has of course been interviewed on Fischer's withdrawal from chess. He believed him to be extremely insecure and with a great fear of meeting someone stronger than him at chess. Make this someone also younger than Fischer and a Communist (as in Karpov's case), and Fischer would be unable to meet him, since, if he lost, his life would be falling apart. This is Larsen's explanation, so take it for what it's worth.

I quess it would have been a more servere setback, if I had happened against a lesser player than Fischer.

Interesting enough he thinks, that his result in Portopoz 1958 was his greatest setback.

One can never know about Larsen: maybe he felt, that he was doomed against Fischer in 1971 - already before game 1? In that case one can argue, that he went down with smoking guns.

Outspoken, self-confident, honest, Larsen, on occasion, expressed sincerely his thoughts on Fischer (usually right on the mark), but he never did any "trash talking" concerning Fischer, or anybody else.

As for Larsen's strength, it has been well manifested by his results.

Five appearances in the Candidates, a host of victories in strong international events. At least 15 years amongst the leading masters. A unique approach to Chess, and an exciting style of play.

I believe (i will have to look it up) I once saw a remark showing Larsens respect for Najdorfs endgame technic, when they both witnessed one of the Karpov - Kasparov matches.

I am merely first-hand witness to a few "experiences" involving Larsen - which are

1. Attending a lecture by Larsen.

2. Playing with black against Larsen in a simul - losing terrible.

3. Being in the audience with Larsen acting as commentator.

4. Seeing him analyze games and otherwise interrelate with other strong players.

I have also had the exquisid pleasure of having him annoting one of my own games.

On this basis I can safely say, that he's a man with a wisdom, knowlegde and intellect, which is not any way limited by his "trade" - so to say - no matter by which standard you want to measure it.

I don't know much about the late mr. Fischer - but I have little doubt as to, who was the most intelligent of the two.

Now, I do not doubt your claim of what he has once said about Najdorf. I just fell an inconsistency between that - and other (written) remarks about Najdorf (again, it's just of my memory).

We all have our limitations - true - I do however prefer to see them as strengths and weaknesses - instead of implying something about "high" and "low" if you get my meaning - in my limited ability to write in english.

" The stomach is an essential part of the chess master. "

-- Bent Larsen

I can hardly wait for a translation of <Todas las Piezas Atacan> into English.

<I admired him> [Lasker] <until I studied his games.>

-- Bent Larsen

Those who knew him best attributed this to Fischer's paranoid fear of losing. Bent Larsen was certainly one of those who knew Bobby quite well, ever since Portoroz Interzonal, 1958, when Bobby was only 15.

It was what a lot of people were saying at the time, considering that he'd just dropped out of one interzonal prematurely and refused to even play in the one before that, despite qualifying for it.

Even fans in the US were upset at Fischer for skipping the 64 Interzonal. One US player was heard to remark at the time that Fischer was trying to become the simultaneous exhibition champion of the world.