Bobby Fischer, A"H

Bobby Fischer, the man who "busted" the King's Gambit, has passed away at the age of 64. That's also the number of squares on a chessboard. According to Kasparov:

If one may judge a player's strength by comparing him with his contemporaries, it seems to me that Fischer's achievement is unsurpassed. The gap between him and his closest rivals was the widest there ever was between a World Champion and the other top-ranking players of his time. He was some 10-15 years ahead of his time in his preparation and understanding. This could be attributed in part to his dedication to the game, which was unequaled by any other player before or since.

For a round-up that discusses Fischer's demons, see Soccer Dad.

Tags: Jews, Chess, Bobby Fischer, Kasparov