Soviet Chess Grandmaster Boris Spassky, Defeated at Height of Cold War, Dies at 88

Soviet chess grandmaster Boris Spassky, known for his iconic match against Bobby Fischer during the height of the cold war, has passed away at the age of 88, the Russian Chess Federation announced.

Spassky, who was the world champion in 1969, faced off against American prodigy Bobby Fischer in 1972 in a match that captivated the world and symbolized the east-west rivalry of the time. The match, later dubbed “the match of the century,” ended with Fischer emerging victorious, breaking the Soviet Union’s dominance in the game since 1948.

Despite the loss, Spassky displayed great sportsmanship, applauding Fischer after his defeat. Decades later, he admitted that losing the title was a relief from the “colossal responsibility” he carried as world champion.

Born in Leningrad in 1937, Spassky showed exceptional talent from a young age, becoming the youngest grandmaster in history at 18. He represented France in several chess Olympiads in the 1980s and 1990s before his health began to deteriorate in the early 2000s.

After disappearing from Paris in 2012, Spassky resurfaced in Moscow, citing his desire to return to Russia and start a new chapter in his life.

The legacy of Boris Spassky, both as a chess player and a symbol of the cold war era, will continue to be remembered and celebrated in the world of chess.