The search for Bobby Fischer

THE KOD

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He really is uptight about politics.

Sad part is he is a genius and can't use it for the betterment of the world.
 

jpblack34

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How about Jeremy Schaap? I absolutely despise the guy but what he said in taking up for his father was right on. Kudos to him for calling Fischer insane. JP
 

bjfinste

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I'm not sure if it was the same segment, but ESPN just showed a piece by Schaap on Fischer, including extended coverage of his press conference once he got to Iceland. Holy shit is that guy a nutjob!

Like jpblack, I'm not a fan of Jeremy Schaap at all, but I thought he did a great job at the press conference.
 

THE KOD

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ocelot said:
Fischer has never been a genius just a brilliant chess player. He never finished high school.
......................................................

ocelot

I disagree. To play at that level you have to
be a genius.
 

dawgball

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He never finished high school.

And this is your test of brilliance? I think there are many brilliant people throughout time who didn't have the halls of the American Education system to thank.

I'm pretty sure I could have graduated high school by passing the aptitude tests somewhere around the 7th or 8th grade.
 

ocelot

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I only made the high school statement as I figured it would surprise many. I do not think it a necessary prerequisite for intelligence.

Bobby Fisher has exhibited NO genius in any subject other than chess. It was all he cared about in his formative years. This is widely acknowledged in the chess world.

I have not seen any ESPN pieces on Bobby - they could tell me nothing I didn't already know about him. I am a life member of the US Chess Federation and have heard and read it all regarding Fisher.
 

Lucena

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Too much

Too much

I'm a National chess expert so I have some insight into B. Fischer.

The lesson to be learned is that when you spend too much time on any one activity you have a high chance of either burning out early or of being unable to deal with people.

Fischer for years was paranoid of the Soviet iron rule on chess. He has made many claims about Soviet cheating and brain washing at tournaments.

Now, with the cold war over. His claims are completely invalid. It is a shame that the strongest American player ever can't even come back to the U.S. without risking being thrown in jail.

Learn to deal with people. That is a skill that will take you far in life. If you learn how to get people what they want and need then you will experience much success.
 

dawgball

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Lucena--not to make light of your post, but wasn't that the entire premise of the movie "searching for BF"? The kid having a life as well as being a great chess player.
 

worm44

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listen Bobby F. IQ has been tested in the 160-165 range by the 2 (two) standardized IQ tests used in the usa to measure such.....he is a genius...completely insane at this point (clinically) but a genius none-the-less...
 

Lucena

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In answer to the question.

In answer to the question.

The movie is unrealistic in many instances.

Also, the vast majority of kids that reach the 2200 rating level by the age of 18 stop playing in their early twenties.

Even Josh Waitzkin who the movie is based on and got his rating as high as 2500 has not played a rated game since 1999. You can look under uschess.org and then msa tab to see rating histories of all players.

Being a pro yeilds little money. Most of the people earning money teach chess and give lessons similiar to a tennis coach.

Let me give you an example of how crazy a tournament can be with the time involved. No one with any kind of life could maintain it.

A tournament might be over Memorial Day weekend for example. You play 6 games. 2 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday, and 2 on Monday. The rounds will be at 11 am and 7 pm for example. Keep in mind that many many games last 4 or 5 hours. The maximum that games can last is usually 6 hours.

Finally, keep in mind that the winner may win 2 grand, but those that miss first by a .5 pt may split monies and only end up with $150 dollars or so for 4 days in hotel with travel and food expenses not paid either.

Chess has very little corporate sponsorship. The games are too long and boring. (keep in mind I am an rated chess expert in the 2100 range). They need to speed things up by making the games very fast. I would go with a 30 minute time limit on each game for each player.

The players balk at this and say that they would make too many mistakes and it would mess up the purity of the game. However, I have seen people sit for an hour or so on one move. That is no fun to play or watch!
 

dawgball

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I didn't think that the movie was realistic, but what I gathered from the movie was the battle between his parents for him being a great chess player and a normal kid at the same time.

Very interesting information, Lucena.
 
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