The 1972 Fischer-Spassky chess match significantly impacted US-Soviet diplomatic relations and cultural diplomacy
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Historical and academic sources report that the 1972 Fischer-Spassky chess match transcended sports to become a prominent Cold War confrontation that highlighted superpower political tensions and cultural differences between the United States and the Soviet Union.
A lo largo del siglo XX, el arte de la diplomacia fue adquiriendo nuevas herramientas. Una de ellas puede ser denominada “Ludodiplomacia”, que consiste en ejercer influencia por medio del deporte o de diferentes juegos. En los años de entre guerra, los movimientos fascistas comprendieron este tipo de iniciativa, organizando un mundial de fútbol en Italia (1934) y los Juegos Olímpicos en Alemania (1936). Posteriormente, una forma orgánica de este tipo de diplomacia alcanza un desarrollo más sutil en la Guerra Fría. El ajedrez, conocido como “el juego de los reyes”, fue uno de los aspectos clave en la política exterior de las grandes potencias, alcanzando su auge en el match de 1972, entre el norteamericano Bobby Fischer y el ruso Boris Spassky.
macrohistoria 4, julio 2023
Página 86 | macrohistoria 4, julio 2023
Guerra Fría y ajedrez:
El match Fischer-Spassky
Cold War and Chess: the Fischer-Spassky match
Jorge Luis Fernández*
Resumen Abstract
A lo largo del siglo XX, el arte de la diplomacia fue
adquiriendo nuevas herramientas. Una de ellas
puede ser denominada “Ludodiplomacia”, que
consiste en ejercer influencia por medio del
deporte o de diferentes juegos. En los años de
entre guerra , los movimientos fascistas
comprendieron est e tipo de iniciativa,
organizando un mundial de fútbol en Italia
(1934) y los Juegos Olímpicos en Alemania
(1936). Posteriormente, una forma orgánica de
este tipo de diplomacia alcanza un desarrollo
más sutil en la Guerra Fría. El ajedrez, conocido
como “e l juego de los reyes”, fue uno de los
aspectos clave en la política exterior de las
grandes potencias , alcanzando su auge en el
match de 1972, entre el norteamericano Bobby
Fischer y el ruso Boris Spassky.
Throughout the 20th century, the art of diplomacy
expanded to encompass new tools. One of them,
"Ludodiplomacy", consists of the the use of sports
or games as powerful tools of influence. During
the interwar period, fascist movements employed
this technique, organizing the World Cup in Italy
(1934) and the Olympic Games in Germany (1936).
Later, during the Cold War, this type of diplomacy
developed in a subtle, organic form. Chess, known
as "The Game of the Kings", was a fundamental
element of the great powers' foreign policies,
reaching its peak in the 19 72 match between
Bobby Fischer, an American, and Boris Spassky, a
Russian player. This article chronicles the
important Fischer-Spassky match.
Palabras clave: ajedrez, Guerra Fría, match, tensión,
contexto internacional.
Recibido: 24 de mayo de 2023.
Aceptado: 31 de julio de 2023
Key words: chess, Cold War, match, strain,
international context.
* Jorge Luis Fernández es miembro de la Universidad de Congreso , Mendoza, Argentina; contacto:
fernandezj@ucongreso.edu.ar; https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0266-8428
Guerra Fría y ajedrez: el match Fischer-Spassky | Jorge Luis Fernández
Página 87 | macrohistoria 4, julio 2023
1. Introducción
El match de ajedrez entre Fischer y Spassky trascendió los límites de una competencia deportiva
por el título del mundo y se convirtió en un capítulo más de la Guerra Fría. Así lo proclamó en
su momento la prensa internacional. En abril de 1972 el Times afirmó: “Fischer cree que, en
cierto sentido, está luchando por el mundo libre contra la Unión So viética, en una atmósfera
similar al bloqueo de Berlín de hace veinte años”. Tres meses más tarde, el Washington Post
añadió: “Una victoria de Fischer sería como una bofetada para la afirmación básica de la
ideología soviética” (Edmonds, 2006). Otros med ios de América y Europa ampliaron y
multiplicaron estas ideas. Poco a poco, el enfrentamiento entre los dos ajedrecistas captó el
interés de los actores políticos de las dos superpotencias, incluyendo al presidente de EEUU,
Richard Nixon, y la estructura d el poder de Moscú. Ambos evaluaron el impacto político de
esta competencia.
El vínculo de la política con el deporte tenía ya una larga tradición. Los Juegos Olímpicos de
Berlín en 1936, para demostrar la superioridad de la raza aria, fue un ejemplo. A lo largo de
buena parte del siglo XX, el interés por los campeonatos mundiales de fútbol y las olimpiadas
creció en forma paralela a los nacionalismos (Hobsbawm, 2003). El ajedrez quedó también
dentro de este contexto, particularmente durante la Guerra Fría.
El concepto de Guerra Fría era entendido por ambas potencias hegemónicas como una “paz
fría” (Hobsbawn, 2003). El citado autor argumentaba que en sucesos muy importantes como
la invasión a Hungría en 1956 y en la de Praga en 1968 Estados Unidos no se ent rometió
abiertamente. Era entonces una cuestión retórica, un statu
Guerra Fría y ajedrez: el match Fischer-Spassky | Jorge Luis Fernández
Página 97 | macrohistoria 4, julio 2023
Brady, F. 2015. Endgame. España: TEELL Editorial.
Edmonds, D. y Eidinov, J. 2006. Bobby Fischer se fue a la guerra. México: DEBATE.
García, A. 2017. “La revolución de Octubre y el ajedrez ” en 100 revolución. Asociación de amistad
hispano-soviética.
Geuzendam, D. 1994. Searching Bobby Fischer. Netherlands: Interchess BV.
Hastings, M. 2019. La guerra de Vietnam. Barcelona: Crítica.
Hobsbawm, E. 2003. Historia del siglo XX. Barcelona: Crítica.
Life Magazine, 1971. Vol. 71, No. 20.
Johnson, P. 1988. Tiempos Modernos. Argentina: Vergara Editor.
Kennedy, P. 1998. Auge y caída de las grandes potencias. España: Plaza y Janés.
Kotov, A. y Yudovich, M. 1958. Maestros del Ajedrez Ruso. Buenos Aires: Editorial Sopena.
Lauterbach, W. 1972. El match del Siglo. España: Martínez Roca.
Pachman, L. 1974. Ajedrez y Comunismo. Barcelona: Martínez Roca.
Reynolds, D. 2008. Cumbres/seis reuniones que forjaron el siglo XX. España. Ariel.
Shereshevsky, M. 2018. El método Shereshevsky para progresar en ajedrez. Asturias: Editorial Chessy.
Sosonko, G. 2008. Siluetas del ajedrez ruso. España: DANCADREZ.
Tukmakov, V. 2016. La clave de la victoria. España: TEEL Editorial.
Against the backdrop of superpower politics, the authors recount the careers and personalities of Boris Spassky, the product of Stalin's imperium, and Bobby Fischer, a child of post-World War II America, an era of economic boom at home and ...
For two months in 1972, the world watched, spellbound, as Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky dueled for supremacy in chess. The match was as much about chess as it was a contest between the dysfunctional, manipulative Fischer and tournament officials; between the free-spirited Spassky who distrusted the Soviet system and the entrenched Soviet bureaucracy that grudgingly supported him; and between the ideologies of communism and free enterprise.
Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How the Soviets Lost the Most Extraordinary Chess ...
- David Edmonds, John Eidinow - Google Buku Telusuri Gambar Maps Play YouTube Berita Gmail Drive Lainnya » Login Buku Koleksiku Bantuan Penelusuran Buku Lanjutan Dapatkan buku cetak eBuku tidak tersedia BukuKita.com Gramedia Cari di perpustakaan Semua penjual » Bobby Fischer Goes to War : How the Soviets Lost the Most Extraordinary Chess Match of All Time David Edmonds , John Eidinow Ecco , 2004 - 342 halaman The authors chronicle how Fischer, a manipulative, dysfunctional genius, risked all to seize control of the contest as the organizers maneuvered frantically to save it -- under the eyes of the world's press.
They can now tell the inside story of Moscow's response, and the bitter tensions within the Soviet camp as the anxious and frustrated apparatchiks strove to prop up Boris Spassky, the most un-Soviet of their champions -- fun-loving, sensitive, and a free spirit. Edmonds and Eidinow follow this careering, behind-the-scenes confrontation to its climax: a clash that displayed the cultural differences between the dynamic, media-savvy representatives of the West and the baffled, impotent Soviets. Try as they might, even the KGB couldn't help.
A mesmerizing narrative of brilliance and triumph, hubris and despair, Bobby Fischer Goes to War is a biting deconstruction of the Bobby Fischer myth, a nuanced study on the art of brinkmanship, and a revelatory cold war tragicomedy. Edisi yang lain - Lihat semua Bobby Fischer Goes to War: The most famous chess match of all time David Edmonds , John Eidinow Pratinjau terbatas - 2011 Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How A Lone American Star Defeated the Soviet ... David Edmonds , John Eidinow Pratinjau tidak tersedia - 2005 Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How the Soviets Lost the Most Extraordinary Chess ...
David Edmonds , John Eidinow Pratinjau tidak tersedia - 2004 Lihat semua » Informasi bibliografi Judul Bobby Fischer Goes to War: How the Soviets Lost the Most Extraordinary Chess Match of All Time Pengarang David Edmonds , John Eidinow Edisi cetak ulang Penerbit Ecco, 2004 ISBN 0060510242, 9780060510244 Tebal 342 halaman     Ekspor Kutipan BiBTeX EndNote RefMan Tentang Google Buku - Kebijakan Privasi - Persyaratan Layanan - Informasi untuk Penerbit - Laporkan masalah - Bantuan - Beranda Google
Robert James Fischer (March 9, 1943 – January 17, 2008) was an American chess grandmaster and the eleventh World Chess Champion. A chess prodigy, he won his first of a record eight US Championships at the age of 14. In 1964, he won with an 11–0 score, the only perfect score in the history of the tournament. Qualifying for the 1972 World Championship, Fischer swept matches with Mark Taimanov and
Robert James Fischer (March 9, 1943 – January 17, 2008) was an American chess grandmaster and the eleventh World Chess Champion. A chess prodigy, he won his first of a record eight US Championships at the age of 14. In 1964, he won with an 11–0 score, the only perfect score in the history of the tournament. Qualifying for the 1972 World Championship, Fischer swept matches with Mark Taimanov and Bent Larsen by 6–0 scores. After winning another qualifying match against Tigran Petrosian, Fischer won the title match against Boris Spassky of the USSR, in Reykjavík, Iceland. Publicized as a Cold War confrontation between the US and USSR, the match attracted more worldwide interest than any chess championship before or since.
In 1975, Fischer refused to defend his title when an agreement could not be reached with FIDE, chess's international governing body, over the match conditions. Consequently, the Soviet challenger Anatoly Karpov was named World Champion by default. Fischer subsequently disappeared from the public eye, though occasional reports of erratic behavior emerged. In 1992, he reemerged to win an unofficial rematch against Spassky. It was held in Yugoslavia, which at the time was under an embargo of the United Nations. His participation led to a conflict with the US federal government, which warned Fischer that his participation in the match would violate an executive order imposing US sanctions on Yugoslavia. The US government ultimately issued a warrant for his arrest; subsequently, Fischer lived as an émigré. In 2004, he was arrested in Japan and held for several
Robert James Fischer (March 9, 1943 – January 17, 2008) was an American chess grandmaster and the eleventh World Chess Champion. A chess prodigy, he won his first of a record eight US Championships at the age of 14. In 1964, he won with an 11–0 score, the only perfect score in the history of the tournament. Qualifying for the 1972 World Championship, Fischer swept matches with Mark Taimanov and Bent Larsen by 6–0 scores. After winning another qualifying match against Tigran Petrosian, Fischer won the title match against Boris Spassky of the USSR, in Reykjavík, Iceland. Publicized as a Cold War confrontation between the US and USSR, the match attracted more worldwide interest than any chess championship before or since.
In 1975, Fischer refused to defend his title when an agreement could not be reached with FIDE, chess's international governing body, over the match conditions. Consequently, the Soviet challenger Anatoly Karpov was named World Champion by default. Fischer subsequently disappeared from the public eye, though occasional reports of erratic behavior emerged. In 1992, he reemerged to win an unofficial rematch against Spassky. It was held in Yugoslavia, which at the time was under an embargo of the United Nations. His participation led to a conflict with the US federal government, which warned Fischer that his participation in the match would violate an executive order imposing US sanctions on Yugoslavia. The US government ultimately issued a warrant for his arrest; subsequently, Fischer lived as an émigré. In 2004, he was arrested in Japan and held for several months for using a passport that the US government had revoked. Eventually, he was granted Icelandic citizenship by a special act of the Althing, allowing him to live there until his death in 2008. During his life, Fischer made numerous antisemitic statements, including Holocaust denial, despite his own Jewish ancestry. His antisemitism was a major theme in his public and private remarks, and there has been speculation concerning his psychological condition based on his extreme views and eccentric behavior.
Fischer made many lasting contributions to chess. His book My 60 Memorable Games, published in 1969, is regarded as essential reading in chess literature. In the 1990s, he patented a modified chess timing system that added a time increment after each move, now a standard practice in top tournament and match play. He also invented Fischer random chess, also known as Chess960, a chess variant in which the initial positions of the pieces are randomized to one of 960 possible positions.
It is hard to say how their match will end, but it is clear that such an easy victory as in Vancouver [against Taimanov] will not be given to Fischer. I think Larsen
Fischer vs. Boris Spassky, World Chess Championship 1972; 6th match game, Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower Defense (D59), 1–0; annotated on the 1972 match page. Fischer called this game his best of the match. Efim Geller had told Spassky about the strong move 14...Qb7 during their preparation, but Spassky had forgotten the advice and played 14...a6. Geller won with 14...Qb7 against Jan Timman in the AVRO 1973 tournament.
Boris Spassky vs. Fischer, World Chess Championship 1972; 13th match game, Alekhine Defense, Modern Variation, Alburt Variation (B04), 0–1; annotated on the 1972 match page. Botvinnik called this game "the highest creative achievement of Fischer". He resolved a drawish opposite-colored bishops endgame by sacrificing his bishop and trapping his own rook. "Then five passed pawns struggled with the white rook. Nothing similar had been seen before in chess."
Fischer vs. Boris Spassky, 1992; 1st match game, Ruy Lopez, Breyer Variation (C95), 1–0; annotated on the 1992 match page. Fischer's "fine" victory in his first competitive game in 20 years "made a great impression on the chess world", although in Kasparov's view, Spassky's play was below the standard of the leading grandmasters of the time.
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