Boris Spassky 1937-2025 - 1937-2025

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Boris Vasilievich Spassky was born in Leningrad January 30th 1937 and has died in Moscow February 27th 2025 at the age of 88. The former World Chess Champion played two championship matches against Tigran Petrosian, winning the second one in 1969 to become the 10th holder of the title. Spassky lost his only defence against Bobby Fischer in a match in Reykjavik in 1972. This match gave him worldwide fame in the midst of a media frenzy at the height of the Cold War. Spassky was one of the leading players in the world from 1956 until the early 1980s. In 1992 he played Bobby Fischer in a rematch in Yugoslavia which briefly made them both famous again. In September 2010 he had a serious stroke, most of this obituary was written at that time, it does seem that he eventually made a near full recovery. Spassky had problems with his personal circumstances around this time which concluded with him moving from France, where he had lived for many years, back to Russia where he remained for the rest of his life. Spassky was regarded as one of the best players ever, a universal player who was especially good at attacking play. His loss to Karpov and a gradual fall in motivation affected his standing in all time lists but at his best his games were really fantastic and place him right up there with the very greatest of players.

Source: https://theweekinchess.com/chessnews/ob ... is-spassky