Fischer never quit looking for an edge
Saturday, March 13, 2010 2:51 AM
One can imagine a game between the eternal spirit of Bobby Fischer and God.
Familiar with Fischer’s insatiable love for chess, we aren’t surprised to learn that it’s the 1,000th game they have played this week. The first 999 have ended in draws.
A distracted Almighty is looking at Fischer.
“Bobby, why are we still playing this game?” God asks. “There are no pieces left on the chessboard.”
Deep in thought, Fischer reluctantly responds: “I still think, God, I have some winning chances. Besides, you have your domain, but – no disrespect intended – I make the rules on the chessboard.”
The scene reflects Fischer’s will to win.
That reputation is based on incidents such as the one in June 1959 in the 12th round of an international tournament in Zurich, Switzerland.
The 16-year-old American had been paired with 47-year-old Gideon Barcza, a veteran Hungarian grandmaster.
Long after it seemed clear that Fischer had no advantage, he persisted in pressing for a win. A draw was finally agreed to on the 96th move. But Fischer wasn’t content.
“Let’s look at the game from the beginning,” he said.
“I’m sure I could have played better at some point.”
Barcza responded, pleadingly: “Look, I have a wife and children. Who’s going to support them in the event of my untimely death?”
Source: http://www.dispatch.com
Fischer is the best ever.