RIP Bobby Fisher
I was listening to NPR today when they announced that Bobby
Fisher had died yesterday. Bobby Fisher was more then a little
psychotic and a jerk of a human being. He was hateful,delusional
and egocentric. I even went so far as to turn his hobo being
kicked out of Japan picture from a couple years ago into my WTF
icon. That was the man but it was not the legend.
I was an lonely child growing up. I had leg braces, glasses, a
learning disability and a host of other issues. I grew out of
some of things and learned to work around others but back then
I did not have much to build up my self confidence. When the
other kids would go out for recess I would hang back because of
my braces and self confidence issues. In doing this I saw one
of my teachers and another student playing chess. I walked over
curious and watched. The teacher offered to teach me how to play.
I grasped the basics but was impatient and frustrated. He
recommended I pick up Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess. I got my
parents to take me to Little Professors book store and spent my
three weeks worth of allowance on it. I still have it in fact.
I just pulled it out as I started to write this. I don't think
it has moved from its spot since I unpacked all my books upon
moving in over four years ago. Amazon claims it was published in
1982 but it was actually first published in 1966. My edition was
put out in 1972 which means it must have been in a warehouse for
quite a number of years before I got it.
The introduction had a intro from Bobby and a two page bio on how
he turned the chess world on its ear! Well I was hooked and I
started in on the lessons with a passion. I maintain to this day
that it is by far one of the best introduction to chess books you
can find. I recommend it to all new players. I read up on Fisher
and was inspired. Years latter I would find out what a nut job he
had become but back then I was inspired. I ended up being a decent
chess player. I was forth board on out chess team in high school.
I probably could have been second board if not for the fact I
take to long to consider moves for timed competition. First board
is best and fifth board is last in high school chess. I don't have
what it takes to be a master and I was overheard cursing a stupid
move a time or two by Greg and Andy at practice. I am friends with
both of them to this day and we really first got to know each other
in chess club.
All of this is a roundabout way of saying that Bobby Fisher gave me
a little bit of self worth when I badly needed it and a legend to
aspire to until I found my own direction. You helped me bond with
two very cool people who I am friends with to this day. For both of
these things I am grateful to this day. You went off track somewhere
along the line Bobby but I owe you and I wanted to say thank you.
Rest in peace Bobby Fisher.
Fisher had died yesterday. Bobby Fisher was more then a little
psychotic and a jerk of a human being. He was hateful,delusional
and egocentric. I even went so far as to turn his hobo being
kicked out of Japan picture from a couple years ago into my WTF
icon. That was the man but it was not the legend.
I was an lonely child growing up. I had leg braces, glasses, a
learning disability and a host of other issues. I grew out of
some of things and learned to work around others but back then
I did not have much to build up my self confidence. When the
other kids would go out for recess I would hang back because of
my braces and self confidence issues. In doing this I saw one
of my teachers and another student playing chess. I walked over
curious and watched. The teacher offered to teach me how to play.
I grasped the basics but was impatient and frustrated. He
recommended I pick up Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess. I got my
parents to take me to Little Professors book store and spent my
three weeks worth of allowance on it. I still have it in fact.
I just pulled it out as I started to write this. I don't think
it has moved from its spot since I unpacked all my books upon
moving in over four years ago. Amazon claims it was published in
1982 but it was actually first published in 1966. My edition was
put out in 1972 which means it must have been in a warehouse for
quite a number of years before I got it.
The introduction had a intro from Bobby and a two page bio on how
he turned the chess world on its ear! Well I was hooked and I
started in on the lessons with a passion. I maintain to this day
that it is by far one of the best introduction to chess books you
can find. I recommend it to all new players. I read up on Fisher
and was inspired. Years latter I would find out what a nut job he
had become but back then I was inspired. I ended up being a decent
chess player. I was forth board on out chess team in high school.
I probably could have been second board if not for the fact I
take to long to consider moves for timed competition. First board
is best and fifth board is last in high school chess. I don't have
what it takes to be a master and I was overheard cursing a stupid
move a time or two by Greg and Andy at practice. I am friends with
both of them to this day and we really first got to know each other
in chess club.
All of this is a roundabout way of saying that Bobby Fisher gave me
a little bit of self worth when I badly needed it and a legend to
aspire to until I found my own direction. You helped me bond with
two very cool people who I am friends with to this day. For both of
these things I am grateful to this day. You went off track somewhere
along the line Bobby but I owe you and I wanted to say thank you.
Rest in peace Bobby Fisher.