The chess player who lost the iconic "Match of the Century" has died, aged 88. Soviet chess grandmaster Boris Spassky took on American Bobby Fischer in the legendary 1972 World Championship final, which was dubbed a "Cold War showdown" at the time. However, he lost, but was always regarded as a "true chess artist" throughout his life.
A spokesman for FIDE, the international chess governing body, said: "The first genuinely universal player, Spassky was not an opening specialist, but he excelled in complex and dynamic middlegame positions, where he was in his element.
"FIDE extends its sincere condolences to Boris Spassky’s family, friends, and loved ones."
Despite losing the iconic battle played in Reykjavik, Iceland for a whopping £200k, which Fischer won 12 1/2 to 8 1/2, Spassky continued competing at the highest level, reaching the Candidates tounament semifinal in 1974 and the final in 1977.
A two-time USSR Champion (1961 and 1973), Spassky played for the Soviet team in seven Chess Olympiads (1962–1978), winning thirteen medals (team and individual) and scoring 69 points in 94 games (+45−1=48), FIDE said.
However, he left the Soviet system in 1976, emigrating to France alongside his third wife and took up French citizenship in 1978. He went on to represent France at three Olympic chess tournaments, before returning to Russia in 2012.
Looking back on his career, he said in 2016: "I never set myself the goal of becoming world champion. Everything worked out by itself. I was progressing in leaps and bounds.
"You can’t imagine how relieved I was when Fischer took the title away from me. I freed myself from a very heavy burden and breathed freely."
Although ex-Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov was gave an insight into Spassky, and said: "Spassky always wanted to play, and he handled the situation with impressive dignity. While his chess justified the ‘universal’ label that frequently follows his name, his aggressive gambiteering style produced countless masterpieces."
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