“I believe that Fischer retired from competitive chess after he instinctively and correctly spotted his next opponent –Karpov. It was not only because of the youth and undeniable talent of the new Soviet star. Robert always had a problem with people, especially strangers –they presented a hidden threat to him. He felt uncomfortable and lonely in the human world…
The American got used to his old Soviet opponents; he had already deciphered their play, so they did not present any serious danger. But Karpov was different. The world champion somehow realized that the mysterious Russian would not play by his rules. Under such circumstances, the outcome of the fight was predetermined.”
Fischer was neurotic and paranoid. After he won the World Championship, he had little incentive to compete again. Yes, he might have defended his title, but FIDE didn’t want to submit to his demands, which might have strung the championship out to 18 games, with draw odds of retaining the title.
I really can’t say who’s at fault there though, FIDE has traditionally been adversarial to high level chess players. Even Magnus Carlsen had issues with FIDE, in which he ultimately decided to not go for the World Championship cycle, a few years ago.
I do agree that Fischer was more old school than Karpov. Could Fischer have won against Karpov? Hard to say, but the end score would’ve been close, if not drawn.
I think Kasparov would’ve beaten Fischer handily, even if Fischer was in his prime.
Karpov barely scraped by Korchnoi in his matches. By 1975, he was not yet up to speed in his handling of d-pawn openings as White. Fischer was ahead of everyone in the Sicilian Defense, which would have been a major battleground. I cannot see Karpov withstanding the sustained pressure Fischer would make against the Ruy Lopez or Caro-Kann, other defenses in the Karpov arsenal. The endings would have been interesting, but I would still give the nod to Fischer, who would continue to press and wear Karpov down in long endgames.
After the 1972 match, Fischer had obtained his life dream. In the wake of that a period of uncertainty was natural while he sought new goals. Karpov would have been treated as a new Soviet titan to overcome, had FIDE acceded to Fischer’s match proposals. Don’t forget that FIDE eventually granted Karpov even more favorable regulations in his matches than the ones Fischer asked for. Tukmakov’s slant appears to be similar to the typical fawning over Karpov by those who needed favor by the USSR federation in those days to make a living. It doesn’t hurt even today to be favorably disposed to Karpov.
A Fischer-Kasparov match would have been one for the ages, especially if both were at the peak of their power. Fischer was probably more psychologically stable while playing chess, a factor not favoring the always emotional Kasparov. Kasparov would not have had to wonder about friends and enemies helping the solitary Fischer with opening analysis, a plus for Kasparov. When it comes down to it, the phase of the game, the endgame, where Fischer was stronger and more experienced would carry the day for him. But we will never know as all of those matches with the super K’s never came to fruition.
One has to wonder at what point did Fischer start having mental health issues. Although it’s clear he had some from a younger age, at what point did it grow to the point it affected his everyday thinking. Probably in the late 60’s. Maybe '67 or '68, obviously there isn’t a hard date one could pin it to. His mental health issues continued to grow long after the championship.
All interesting speculation. One thing I feel fairly certain of is that vis-a-vis Karpov, Fischer would not have gotten away with the games he played with Spassky off the board. IMO, he so annoyed people in Iceland and in FIDE, that giving in to all his pre-match demands was bound to fall, if not on deaf ears, at least on hearing impaired ears. By the late 70s, Fischer was clearly more and more obviously mentally ill. Without significant intervention, that was not about to change. Such intervention as to an adult is very difficult to compel unless one is a clear physical danger to oneself or others which Fischer was apparently not.
If you saw the TV interviews with Dick Cavett, Fischer does not appear to have any mental disturbances. He was open, affable, and completely sure of himself. He smiled and laughed a lot. He seemed comfortable with his status. In the post '72 match period, his dabbling with religion through Garner Ted Armstrong’s World Church of God is probably a factor that caused him to become disturbed and withdrawn. He gave them money. In return he received cult-like admonitions and distorted views of the world around him. At a certain point he probably felt foolish and betrayed by the group. Add this to his suspicions about chess people trying to use him. Alone and angry he lashed out at the world. Without the proper education to see through the mess his life was turning into, it was easy to turn to conspiracy theories rather than place any blame on himself. What the guy needed was real friends. Trust in others always seemed to be a stumbling block in his life. Really sad.
I saw the original broadcast and have seen it several times since. The crisis likely started to become acute as the match with Karpov approached. Once no longer WC (according to FIDE if not Fischer) the long road to paranoia and heaven only knows what else likely began in earnest. Sad tale of a significantly wasted career talent. I can imagine how frustrated some of his closest friends must have been in wanting to help him get well but having no real way to accomplish that.
People with mental health issues like Fischer had are extremely good at hiding it, until it gets to some point later in life where they no longer understand that their thoughts are not normal. Then it becomes very apparent to people, especially the ones close to them like family.
I might take a few more years for their abnormal thoughts to get to the point where its obvious even to the general public.
Good point. His antisemetic rants on the radio in the Phillipeans being an example of that. So much was acheived by him despite the lurking problems. I do wish our government had taken a more compassionate approach to his legal situation vis-a-vis his playing the match against Spassky in the 1990s. Perhaps they could/would have had Fischer had the right lawyer on retainer and followed counsel’s advice. Cudos to the people of Iceland for making a final home for him. RIP.
