Five-time chess world champion Viswanathan Anand on Saturday penned a heartfelt tribute for Boris Spassky, the tenth world champion, who breathed his last on February 28 at the age of 88.
“Yesterday, I woke up to the sad news about the death of Boris Spassky. I remembered The Hundred Best Games of Boris Spassky, written by Bernard Cafferty (which I won as a prize when I was nine years old), with a biographical introduction in the foreword, and decided to refresh my memory of Spassky’s journey to becoming world champion,” Anand wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
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Anand remembered a story about Spassky’s rivalry with Mikhail Tal when they played in the USSR Championship in Riga in 1958 – “He [Spassky] managed to lose a winning position in the last round (something most of us, if not all, have done at some point-so very relatable), then went and cried on the street. He also blamed himself for not shaving and not wearing a suit for the adjournment. The emotions are so recognisable (I have done the same-didn’t I take it seriously? Did I take it too seriously?).”
The five-time world champion mentioned Spassky’s iconic world championship match against American Booby Fischer in Reykjavik in 1972 (termed the ‘Match of the Century’), which the latter won, ending the Soviet’s dominance in the sport.
Boris Spassky’s (left) iconic world championship match against American Booby Fischer in Reykjavik in 1972.
| Photo Credit:
THE HINDU ARCHIVES
Boris Spassky’s (left) iconic world championship match against American Booby Fischer in Reykjavik in 1972.
| Photo Credit:
THE HINDU ARCHIVES
“He then endured punishment at home for his loss to Fischer before being allowed to emigrate to France,” said Anand.
When Anand met Spassky
Anand said he met Spassky after becoming World Junior Champion, following the footsteps of the Soviet Chess legend.
“He was still a very strong player and still very witty (though I didn’t always catch his references and would have to ask someone). I remember telling Boris Gelfand about a conversation Spassky had with Morozevich, and Boris laughed himself sick. Too much of an insider joke to narrate, but clearly, Spassky was someone we both found very funny.
“By now, though, he seemed genuinely lighter, without the burden of expectations on his shoulders. I remember him as usually being in a cheerful mood and someone who enjoyed life, which is why I enjoyed reading the book again remember how different it was and how much he overcame to become a World Champion,” recalled Anand.
The game of chess lost a legend with Spassky’s passing and Anand mirrored the sentiment as he ended his tribute saying, “I am privileged to have known Boris Vasilievich Spassky. RIP.”