Russian Chess Grandmaster Boris Spassky Dies at Age 88, Remembered as Legend in the World of Chess

Legendary Russian chess grandmaster Boris Spassky has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be remembered in the world of chess. Spassky, who held the title of World Chess Champion from 1969-1972, was known for his sportsmanship and strategic brilliance on the chessboard.

One of the most iconic moments in Spassky’s career was his famous match against American Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik in 1972, which was later dubbed as the “Match of the Century”. Despite ultimately losing the match to Fischer, Spassky showed great sportsmanship by applauding his opponent after losing the sixth game.

Former world champion Anatoly Karpov paid a warm tribute to Spassky, calling him an entire era for chess. Karpov reflected on his victory over Spassky in the semi-finals of the Candidates tournament in 1974, describing it as the greatest of victories.

Spassky’s impact on the world of chess was profound, with Russian Chess Federation President Andrei Filatov describing his passing as a great loss for the country. Executive director of the Russian Chess Federation, Alexander Tkachev, also expressed his sorrow at the news, highlighting Spassky’s influence on generations of chess players.

Spassky’s contributions to the game extended beyond his playing career, as he represented France in multiple chess Olympiads and continued to be involved in the chess community until his health began to deteriorate in the early 2000s.

As the chess world mourns the loss of a true legend, Spassky’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of chess players around the world.