Died Boris Spaski, one of the greatest chess players in history

Boris Spaskithe legendary Russian chessboard and former world champion, passed away at the age of 88. His departure is an irreparable loss for the chess world, leaving behind a rich heritage and unforgettable parties that have entered history.

Boris Vasiljevich Spaški was born on January 30, 1937 in Leningrad (today's St. Petersburg). Shah learned to play at the age of five, and his talent quickly came to the fore. Already at a young age he achieved extraordinary results, winning numerous tournaments and titles. His style of play was characterized by universality – he was equally good at the positional game and tactical combinations, which made him an extremely difficult opponent.

Spaski began his journey to the top of the world chess with early successes in Soviet championships. He was twice the champion of the Soviet Union (1961 and 1973), and this gave him a special weight, because at that time he was an extremely difficult competition. His consistency and ability to cope with the pressure brought him to the match of the candidate, who determined the challenger for the world champion.

After several attempts, Spaski finally got the right to challenge the then World Champion Tiger Petrosjan in 1966. Although he lost that match, he did not give up. Three years later, in 1969, he again won the candidate cycle and confronted Petrosjan again. This time, Spaški was more successful, beating Petrosjan with a score of 12.5-10.5 and becoming the tenth world chess champion.

Still, Spaski will remain the most remembered for his match with American grandmother Bobby Fischer in 1972 in Reykjavik, Iceland. This match, named « Century Century », has attracted the unprecedented attention of the world public, partly because of the Cold War tensions between the United States of America and the Soviet Union.

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Photo: Dusko Marusic/Pixsell

The match was burdened with numerous controversy and Fischer's unusual requirements. After Fischer lost his first party and did not appear on the second, it threatened that the match would be interrupted. However, in the spirit of sports behavior, he agreed to continue the match, despite the advice of Soviet officials.

Fischer eventually won the match with a score of 12.5-8.5, interrupting Saveski's reign. Although Saveski lost the title, his sports spirit and dignified behavior throughout the match deserved respect around the world. This match has popularized chess more than ever before, and today it is considered one of the most important events in chess history.

After losing the title, Saveski continued to play at a high level, winning numerous tournaments and participating in candidate matches. Although he never fought for the world champion title again, he remained one of the best players in the world for many years. In 1976 he moved to France with his third wife and continued to play under the French flag.

Boris Spaski left an indelible mark on the history of the chess. His parties, especially those from Fischer's match, are still analyzed and studied. He was known for his universal game style, elegant behavior and sports spirit. His departure leaves a void in the chess world, but his legacy will live forever.