lol, yeah I doubt very much he plays chess. He doesn't excactly seem to be the sharpest knife in the drawer ;) Great linebacker though.

Whatever one makes of that post, it is most unfortunate that Fischer never again played top-level chess, excepting the one match against old friend Spassky, by which time both were far beyond their prime.

Some of his games against his "frenemy" Spassky were serious contenders for best game in 1992. And it made people like me dream about how good he could have/would have been in 73, 74 or 75. Although I avoid these discussions, I believe (almost religiously) that this chessplayer Fischer was the best we ever have seen, imo. An perfect illustration of what a highly specialized human mind can achieve. And of course, when there is so much light there is a lot of shadow, too.

The dead giveaway is Korchnoi's hair--even it obeys the chess principle that the center must be occupied.

But when the center is closed his left and right wing are vulnerable. That is why Anand is wearing a cover...

So many people cannot--or will not--separate the great sportsman from his/her very human side.

Yeah, it's probably him or Bronstein. Other candidates may be Keres and Rubinstein.

In terms of raw chess talent I think there's a case to be made for Ivanchuk, yes. Unfortunately he has never lived up to his immense potential. Like you point out, he's been incredibly inconsistent. So I think I would rate the likes of Korchnoi and Bronstein higher.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/1...

Thanks for that link <perfidious>. Now I'm gonna have a cup of coffee and read though that discussion. Looks to be interesting!

I can see why Lasker is his hero. Both seem to be hard to define.

Recently chessbase had a photo of him at a tournament as a spectator. I guess he is up and alert. I think he was in a wheelchair. They didn't discuss his condition, whether he was still recuperating, or if the wheelchair was permanent.

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.