Tribute to Chess Legend Boris Spassky by Viswanathan Anand

Chess world mourns the loss of legendary player Boris Spassky

The chess community is in mourning following the passing of Boris Spassky, the tenth world champion, who died at the age of 88 on February 28. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand paid a heartfelt tribute to Spassky, reminiscing about the iconic player’s journey and impact on the game.

Anand took to social media to express his sadness upon hearing the news of Spassky’s death. He recalled reading about Spassky’s best games in a book he won as a prize at a young age, and decided to revisit the player’s remarkable career.

One story that stood out to Anand was Spassky’s emotional reaction to a loss in a championship match, where he blamed himself for not shaving and not wearing a suit for the adjournment. Anand found the emotions displayed by Spassky to be relatable, highlighting the human side of the competitive chess world.

The Indian grandmaster also reflected on Spassky’s famous world championship match against American Bobby Fischer in 1972, a historic event that ended the Soviet Union’s dominance in the sport. Spassky faced backlash in his home country following his loss to Fischer, before eventually being allowed to emigrate to France.

Anand shared a personal anecdote about meeting Spassky after becoming World Junior Champion, describing the legendary player as witty and cheerful. Despite the challenges Spassky faced in his career, Anand remembered him as someone who enjoyed life and overcame obstacles to achieve greatness.

The chess world has lost a true legend in Boris Spassky, and Anand concluded his tribute by expressing his gratitude for having known the iconic player. The legacy of Spassky will continue to inspire future generations of chess players around the world.