Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: GUEST,kloppy
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 01:23 PM

Fischer was rumoured to have been playing online before being arrested in Japan. Anyone meet him?

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 01:58 PM

autolycus: I hear ya...bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: autolycus
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 01:50 PM

Guest Bob, reminds me od a tale of Abraham maslow, psychotherapist.

When he was a med student, he had a rexrbook with a photo opposite the title page, divided horizontally.

Above, a pic of a baby; beneath a pic of an adult. Underneath, it said simply, "What happened?"

Ivor

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Slag
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:24 PM

he described Jews as "thieving, lying bastards".


I'm sure he meant to say politians...

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:03 PM

It saddened me to see somebody I admired for his brilliance make those kind of statements. Ranting against the Jews/U.S., etc. And you wonder "how did he get there from here?" Like Ali? Too many shots to the head? And the brain doesn't work like it used to...Or, was the hatred always there, deep down inside? Who's to say? I try to remember the good in everybody. And the bad? I offer this quote from an old Jesse Winchester song. "...Let it go. Let it go-go-go...Let all that bullsh&t go..." bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Peace
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 07:18 PM

I hope that part of him does rot.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 07:13 PM

we all do that

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Alonzo M. Zilch (inactive)
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 03:34 PM

After losing his title, Fischer dropped out of competitive chess and largely out of view, living in Hungary, the Philippines and Japan.

He later renounced his US citizenship, and settled in Iceland

He emerged occasionally from his life as a recluse to say something outrageous and usually offensive.

Fischer praised the 9/11 terrorist attacks, saying that he wanted "to see the US wiped out". Although his mother was Jewish, he described Jews as "thieving, lying bastards".

In his last years, Fischer directed his venom at the chess establishment, alleging that the outcomes of many top-level matches were decided in advance.

May he Rot I Perpetuity

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 04:25 PM

Thanks Skarpi. Bless...

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Slag
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 04:15 PM

Rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: skarpi
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 03:28 PM

Hallo all

Bobby Fisher was put down this morning , his funeral was a quiet one , that was his own wish, there where five people there his wife from Japan
and four of his Icelandic friends .

He rest in a quiet place not far from my home town .


All the best Skarpi Iceland .

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 02:53 PM

Yeah. I and I feel like writing today...Call it the "B" side to "Woolen President"...

                                     The Ballad of Bobby Fischer

                               The Knight whispered to the Bishop,
                               "Come forth to the lawn.
                               Who will now direct us,
                               Now that Bobby's gone?

                                 The Queen, a sweet seductress,
                                 Running to the King...
                                 Too willing to sacrifice,
                                 Another Pawn, so that he might sing...

                                  Shackled by the fire,
                                  Beaten by the war,
                                  His demons have released him,
                                  The game he'll play no more.

                                  Teach us, Mighty Father,
                                  Of the journey's of the Mind,
                                  Did the hatred die with Bobby?
                                  The Light of Peace? The Dark of War?

                                  Or are we all like Bobby?
                                  Our thoughts like pieces on a board.
                                  Imprisoned by our strategies.
                                  A dual-minded man at war...

copyright 2008 bob ryszkiewicz

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Emma B
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 01:09 PM

Hace falta tener cojones

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Brendy
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 01:02 PM

Thanks a million for the link to the games, Peace.

So, bookmarked....

B.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 12:44 PM

Emma B: Great! Anybody else?

bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Emma B
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 12:33 PM

for a start we could knit him a brain

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 12:14 PM

Bobby would have been able to spell introflective. Bush? Well, definitely a sideview to his advisors who would be scrambling behind camera to spell it for him on the teleprompter.
                  
                                          Woolen President

                        Knit me a President, colorful and bright,
                        Make him intelligent, so I sleep well at night.
                        He can be any color, or a woman too...
                        So long as I know, she's tellin' the truth.

                         His cloth should be strong, tempered like steel,
                         With justice for all, cause that's how we feel.
                         Let our children be proud, of the 'ol U.S.A.
                         It used to be like that, back in the day.


                           In his heart, there's a eagle,
                           In his hand, there's a rose.
                           For I pledged allegiance,
                           To America, so let's go...
                           
                              

                            Let our dollar be strong, let our armies come home.
                            We got a country to build, so get on the phone.
                            Call all your friends, back on the farm,
                            Tell 'em we're knittin' a President.
                            We don't need no more yarns!

EVERYBODY SING ALONG!

Wow. WHAT was in that coffee this morning?
<:o) bob
p.s. copyright bob ryszkiewicz 2008
The hits just keep on comin'! BooYeah!
Peace: Love ya...

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Peace
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 10:02 AM

"Fischer might have been a little too introflective to make a successful president. "

Well, if you'd bought him the wool he might have been able to . . . .

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)[Jan 2008]
From: Slag
Date: 21 Jan 08 - 05:33 AM

Check and mate.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Riginslinger
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 09:16 PM

From the sounds of it, it seems like Fischer might have been a little too introflective to make a successful president.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Slag
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 08:48 PM

...and Bush plays Tiddelywinks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 07:15 PM

Hi Kids!: (Or, Ay Mates, Check this...) The Groucho Marx in me interjects this bit of humour as Gary Kasparov, in his bid for political change in Russia, plays Chess while Bill Maher plays Checkers. Makes ya kinda wonder how life might be just a little bit different, if by an act of some strange God, a young Bobby Fischer had become President of these here United States...

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z9g7jN3Kso

+K:<) bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: skarpi
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 06:51 PM

If I remember right , he was arested in Japan , and let go after Icelandic coverment gave to him the right to be an Icelander, right to be one of us , here he lived in peace with his Icelandic friend´s
witch helped him to get here , he was going to move from the capital out
to the country side , but he never made that dream come true .


I always thought that the Us took care of their own :>( but I guess
I was wrong .


All the best Skarpi Iceland .

Subject: Bobby Fisher has past away .............
From: skarpi
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 06:42 PM

Hallo all , on the 18 th of January Bobby Fisher past away
, he died here in Reykjavík , he had a kidney proplems they say .

So a great man has gone away , rest in peace .


All the best Skarpi

---

Threads combined.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 05:45 PM

I assume this thread is the replacement for the recently demised "Amazing Grace " thread ...

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: autolycus
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 03:40 PM

So,Ron, to finish the point, many people do live life as tho' they were playing chess.

That is treating life as politics, calculation, positioning, working out strategies to achieve objectives. And thus hypocrisy, for example. Not to mention bearing false witness. And no doubt much more.

Life has been a lot like that for a veeeeeeeerrry long time for a lot of people. Possibly we've been in trouble for ditto because people lead their lives thusly.

Ivor

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Peace
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 02:08 PM

Thanks, Bob.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 02:06 PM

Peace: You got message via drum...bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 01:40 PM

Peace: Perfect...Youth returns in a nanosecond...
bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Peace
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 01:35 PM

BTW, I was looking back to a game I only ever saw on paper. Man, he opens P to QB4 against Spasky in 1972.

The Game.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Peace
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 01:30 PM

I liked Fischer because he could play chess, a game I loved in my youth. I knew nothing of his 'other self'. Had I, I think I would not have studied his games. Frankly, that would have been my loss. For any of you chess players out there, here is a link to over 900 of his games. You can click and watch the play. It's a neat site.

Fischer's games: 938 of 'em. Interactive.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 01:18 PM

I don't think any of us got near enough Fischer to look upon him fondly - just with a degree of compassion and incomprehension.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: fretless
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 12:52 PM

I'm joining this a bit late, but frankly, Ron, the obits for Fischer that I read seemed to me to offer a reasonable balance between acknowledging his incredible strengths as a chess player and his painful flaws as an inadequate human being and self-hating Jewish anti-Semite.

Fischer attended the same high school I did: Brooklyn's Erasmus Hall High School. He not only dropped out at 16 but also trashed the school in the city's press, a fact for which some at least of those of us who followed him into those venerable classrooms idolized him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 12:02 PM

Bobby Fischer Tribute...

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht-OqiuWVMk

Portrait of a man who spent his life intensely concentrating on a game of war. The object of which, in Fischer's words, was "to crush your opponent's mind..."

"The predominant thought or the mental attitude is the magnet, and the law is that like attracts like, consequently, the mental attitude will invariably attract such conditions as corresponds to its nature." Charles Haanel (1866-1949)

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

"All that we are is a result of what we have thought." Buddha (563BCE-483BCE)

bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 09:49 AM

"You may be the last best hope of freedom, but you suffer from a 'one size fits all' few of conformity."

That's not the case. His lifestyle and choice were his own, just as they are for all of us. When that life has a negative effect on others, that is where critism is deserved. If you feel that non-conformity is offering excuses for anti-semitic rantings, so be it. Some of you seem to overlook his "shortcomings" and remember him as a genius, but when I raise my opinion - some of you seem to take exception to that. Isn't that looking for a "one size fits all" conformity?   When someone points out that the idol has feet of clay, it is okay to shoot the messenger? Sounds like a double standard.

No, Bobby Fischer did not open up a concention camp. Hatred does not need to get to that level before someone says "no".

The point I was trying to make is that there is a lot of hypocrisy going on with Bobby Fischer. If some of the other celebrities mentioned said and did the things the Fischer publicly did, they would not be looked at so fondly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: autolycus
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 06:16 AM

Correction.
That should have read,

"Would anyone care to say what is normal?"


Ron, lots of people treat life like chess. In the sense that they consider various options, think about what the possible outcomes might be, decide which outcome they most want, and make the appropriate choice to achieve that outcome. Or imagine what to say, what the response is bound to be, not like the response they are certain will take place, and so say something else. Not to get points all the time, just a better position, or just to survive.

Ivor

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 04:43 AM

I know thee a lotof good cooks, parents, craftsmen, gardeners, etc.

But few of these are the most outstanding (poosibly in history) at what they do.His games are of such brilliance that his moves will be studied - like Capablanca and Botvinic, as long as the game is played.

In Great Britain we are not kind or helpful to our geniuses. the late Georgie Best, the footballer; Alex Higgins, the snooker player and Eric Clapton; they've all had wealthy but very difficlt lives. Nevertheless I think we may have absorbed Fischer's nuttiness better.

You may be the last best hope of freedom, but you suffer from a 'one size fits all' few of conformity. After all they were only Fischer's daft opinions - its not like he opened a concentration camp.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Slag
Date: 20 Jan 08 - 01:43 AM

Gee, you're a nice guy Ron. He WAS a genius. Chess is a marvelous game, the royal game. There was even a time when the common folk were not allowed to play the game under penalty of death. It's one of the oldest of games. Sorry you can't appreciate that.

As for life being a game I see you are not familiar with game theory. It is a key element in modern psychology and understanding gamesmanship and what constitutes a "pay-off" gives one a great insight into human nature. Of course you can disagree. It is just my opinion after all. And my name isn't preceded by a radio station's call letters.

Fischer had a great imbalance in his life. He resembled an idiot savant more than a genius. He was almost infantile in his social skills. The game and what he added to it deserve my admiration. His tragic life, to me, was very interesting and instructive. Every life has some worth at some point. He was to be pitied for his short comings. Apparently you don't have any of those.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 11:49 PM

"Eccentric? In the extreme. A pass? No, but try a little understanding."

Why?? When you stop and look at his accomplishments, he really did little besides playing chess.   

Sorry, I don't buy that "life is a game" crap. Most games focus on scoring points by beating someone else. A game like chess is just two opponents with no cooperation and only a desire to come out ahead of the opponent. If that is an example of how life is supposed to be lead, we are all in trouble.

People love to throw around a word like "genius" as if that excuses everhything. "A victim of his own brillance"?? Isolated by his own mind? Boo-hoo. Give me a break! We are all victims of our own existence regardless of how brillant we are or aren't. How we deal with our skills defines us as human beings.

He was great at chess, a genius in his chosen field. There are many people who fit that catagory. There are brillant cooks, gardeners, carpenters, teachers, and people who run households and raise families.   Many of these people are caring and sharing and make a difference in the world. These are the people who are deserving of attention, not a little shit like Bobby Fischer.

Why does anyone need to justify anger and hatred?   Just because someone is "eccentric" or excells in a skill does not necessarilly make them a "genius" that deserves admiration. There is no great loss here, he did little more than fill his pockets and seemingly cared about little else.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Slag
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 08:13 PM

Peace, your first entry was spot on. Ron O. life is a game or at least is approached by many as a game. As in chess, Fischer liked to keep his opponents off balance. Who were his opponents in life? Just about everyone it seems. He did get pretty shabby treatment by the FIDE, the US press, the uncomprehending US public and ultimately the US government.

Eccentric? In the extreme. A pass? No, but try a little understanding. Very few could even begin to comprehend his genius and that genius served to isolate him. He was a victim of his own brilliance as much as his social upbringing. I don't know if his sister is still alive. It would be quite interesting to her what she has to say. One interview she gave in the seventies she told of the strange upbringing they had. She played chess with him but very soon he surpassed her and his inability to communicate accelerated exponentially.

I understood his anger while at the same time I was revolted by his paranoia against the Jews. He was ripe for that kind of thing as he felt that the US was out to get him. The blossom rotted. A strange and fascinating life and a cautionary tale.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 07:43 PM

Anyone who is really normal would have to be exceedingly peculiar.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: autolycus
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 07:34 PM

Since his mother was Jewish, then he was.

An uncle of mine once referred to someone as strange.
The conversation then went,
Me"So who's normal?"
"Me!"
"Ah, right. And who else?"
"Nobody."


I don't think he's alone with that attitude to others.



meantime, would anyone care to say is normal?


'night.

Ivor

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 07:20 PM

Paris Hilton "excelled in 'popular' arts"???

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 11:26 AM

Well its a while from my chess playing days, but people will be looking at the beauty and elegance of his moves in hundreds of years time.

That's what he left us and those people who follow chess, will be benefiting from his existence in that way. Fischer himself once compared chess to classical music: it was a closed book to him; but many people couldn't see the beauty in what he did.

there's no excuse for his offensive behaviour, I wouldn't seek to defend that.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Riginslinger
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 10:26 AM

On Wikipedia, I think I saw a long list of chess strategies and moves that were attributed to him. So there's that.

                It also said his mother was Jewish, so he was half Jewish, if they're right. And another article called him "a self hating Jew." He was critical of some Jews and some things the Jewish community did. I'm not sure that's the same thing as self hating.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 09:59 AM

"he must have lived a tormented existence. so much of his genius and sense of beauty was apparently incommunicable."

You are probably right, but again it goes to the point of who gets a break and who gets to use an excuse. When Dwight Gooden had tremendous success at a young age, being thrust into the limelight and having all sorts of "perks" thrown at him, the press and fans ripped him apart.

I'm glad Bobby Fischer was a genius - but how did it benefit anyone other than himself? Sure, he made the geeks and nerds of the world step into the limelight when chess became front page news of the '70s (I was one of them - joining the chess club at my local school), but how different is that from what atheletes do every day? Their "genius" comes from their athletic ability. While Bobby Fischer trained his "mind", atheletes train their "bodies". When an athelete abuses his gift, or does not work to his full potential - the press and fans will skewer him. Fischer won a few chess matches and that becomes enough.

Just imagine if the star quarterback at this year's superbowl comes out and starts making anti-semitic remarks. What angle to you think the beloved press would take?

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 09:50 AM

"I spent a couple of years writing obits for a local paper. And I read them daily. It's not like I haven't given this some thought. "

I'm sure you have. I've given it some thought as well.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Jan 08 - 03:01 AM

Lets hope he found some peace in his life. he must have lived a tormented existence. so much of his genius and sense of beauty was apparently incommunicable.

The anti semitic stuff was just straight wacko. He must have been in extremis to have found himself in such a place, saying such dreadful things.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Greg B
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 07:53 PM

I remember when I was a Cub Scout he used to write the chess
column in "Boy's Life" magazine.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bobby Fischer (Chessmaster)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 07:52 PM

I spent a couple of years writing obits for a local paper. And I read them daily. It's not like I haven't given this some thought.