Boris Spassky: A Great Chess Player, a Great Rival, a Great Friend

But behind the chessboard, something deeper developed between them: respect and friendship.

More Than Just Rivalry

Spassky and Fischer were rivals in the truest sense of the word. Their chess battles were exceptional—every move carried weight, every maneuver could determine the fate of the chess crown. Yet, despite the tension and dramatic moments, a relationship based on mutual respect emerged. Spassky never hid his admiration for Fischer, recognizing him as a chess genius. Fischer, eccentric and not always approachable, in turn acknowledged Spassky as a great champion.

Their paths crossed not only in the legendary match in Reykjavík but also twenty years later when Fischer returned to chess and challenged Spassky again. Though neither was at the peak of their careers, it was a meeting of two legends—proof that chess is not just about results, but about the bonds between those who dedicate their lives to the game.

Spassky Stood by Fischer

Their friendship became fully evident in 2004 when Bobby Fischer was detained in Japan over immigration issues. Spassky wrote an open letter to U.S. President George W. Bush, pleading for Fischer’s release. In the letter, he not only recalled their famous clash but also portrayed Fischer as a tragic figure—a genius unable to adapt to the world. Spassky went so far as to offer to be imprisoned alongside Fischer if it would help his old rival.

This letter, a testament to loyalty and humanity, shows that Spassky was not just a great chess player, but also a great person. He was not only Fischer’s opponent—he was his friend in times when the world had abandoned him. This moment remains one of the most touching examples of true chess generosity and friendship that transcends the board.

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APPEAL TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM BORIS SPASSKY

Mr. President,

In 1972, Bobby Fischer became a national hero. He defeated me in our match in Reykjavík. The Soviet chess hegemony collapsed. A single man triumphed over an entire army. Soon after, Fischer stopped playing, repeating the sad story of Paul Morphy. The legendary Morphy, at just 21, defeated all the leading European masters and became the unofficial world champion. He quit playing and ended his tragic life at 47 in New Orleans in 1884.

In 1992, twenty years after Reykjavík, a miracle happened. Bobby returned to chess, and we played a rematch in Yugoslavia. At that time, U.S. sanctions prohibited any American citizen from engaging in activities in Yugoslavia. Bobby defied the U.S. State Department’s directive. On December 15, 1992, a U.S. District Court issued an arrest warrant for him. I, as a French citizen since 1978, faced no such sanctions from the French government.

Since July 13, 2004, Bobby has been detained at Narita Airport for violating immigration regulations. The rest of the events have been widely reported by the media.

It is clear that the law is the law. But Fischer’s case is not ordinary. I have been friends with Bobby since 1960, when we played in Mar del Plata and shared first and second place. Bobby is a tragic figure. I realized this even back then. He is an honest and kind-hearted person—completely unsociable, unable to conform to normal life standards. He has an exceptionally strong sense of justice and refuses to compromise—whether with his own conscience or with the people around him. He is a man who does almost everything to his own detriment.

I do not wish to defend or justify Bobby Fischer. He is who he is. I ask only one thing: clemency, compassion.

If, for any reason, that is not possible, I request the following: correct the mistake made by President François Mitterrand in 1992. Bobby and I committed the same "crime." Impose sanctions on me as well. Arrest me. Place me in the same cell as Bobby Fischer. And give us a chessboard.

Boris Spassky
10th World Chess Champion
July 8, 2004

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A Champion’s Legacy

Boris Spassky was not only the 10th World Chess Champion but also a man who never lost himself in chess politics. He was a player who appreciated the beauty of the game and a man who retained his humanity even in difficult times.

Today, as we bid farewell to him, he leaves behind more than just his name in chess history books. He leaves behind a story of how a great player can also be a great human being.