Chess is a theme in my extended family (though I have no great skills in it), and through family connections, I chanced to be in Iceland on holiday when the Fischer-Spassky match was on in 1972. Thanks to my brother Paul, we attended one of matches where the excitement was palpable. Watching the match was truly thrilling, surrounded by knowledgeable Icelanders.
Today Fischer died in self-exile in Reykjavik , scene of his triumph, after some difficult years. Raymond Keen, grandmaster and Times chess correspondent said " He was the pride and sorrow of chess. It’s tragic that such a great man descended into madness and anti-Semitism." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3210620.ece
Pride and sorrow - such is life!
Keywords: chess, iceland, pride, sorrow
