Bobby Fisher chess memorial exhibition unveiled in Reykjavik
Posted on 15 March 2013
A memorial exhibit has been unveiled a Reykjavik hotel commemorating what chess players refer to as ‘the match of all time’. The launch of the artefact comes four decades after legendary American chess champion Bobby Fisher took on Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in the Icelandic capital in 1972.
During the event, the two players stayed at the Hotel Loftleiðir, which has since become the Icelandair Reykjavik Hotel Nátura and is now the site of the exhibit.
Visitors can check out the exhibition by heading to the ground floor of the Reykjavik hotel property, where they can view a number of items including a chessboard that had been designed specifically for the epic match, which has since been called a foreshadow of the Cold War. Also on display are a number of photographs and artefacts commemorating the lives of the two players after the event.
The legendary game saw Bobby Fisher become the first ever American to be crowned as an international chess champion and ended the Soviet Union’s winning streak that spanned nearly two-and-a-half decades.
Source: http://www.icenews.is
The greatest!
What about a memorial for Robert J. Fischer in the United States? Fischer was a true American patriot. Those who are wont to criticize him do not understand his historical significance, his firm belief in free speech, his chess genius, or his willingness to die in exile for his beliefs. Yes, he could be contentious. Yes, he could be rude. And, yes, he could make people wince at his free flow of ideas. But he was no felon as various groups, including the US government, have tried to portray him to be. He just wanted to be paid for his skills and for his contributions to his country and the game of chess. Today, chess grandmasters make substantial money. And chess geniuses, such as Magnus Carlsen, make millions upon millions of dollars. Thank God, they are honest enough to admit that they owe their lucrative lifestyle to one man: Bobby Fischer.
What about a memorial for Robert J. Fischer in the United States? Fischer was a true American patriot. Those who are wont to criticize him do not understand his historical significance, his firm belief in free speech, his chess genius, or his willingness to die in exile for his beliefs. Yes, he could be contentious. Yes, he could be rude. And, yes, he could make people wince at his free flow of ideas. But he was no felon as various groups, including the US government, have tried to portray him to be. He just wanted to be paid for his skills and for his contributions to his country and the game of chess. Today, chess grandmasters make substantial money. And chess geniuses, such as Magnus Carlsen, make millions upon millions of dollars. Thank God, they are honest enough to admit that they owe their lucrative lifestyle to one man: Bobby Fischer.