In 1962, on the Island of Curacao, a legendary Candidates Tournament took place. All the big names of the chess world were present. Two of them are pictured above...Mikhail Tal and Bobby Fischer. Tal had already been World Champion (1960-1961) and Fischer was to be World Champion (1972-1975). Why are they playing in a hospital? That is easy. Tal's health had always been suspect since childhood and he suffered with a kidney disease as an adult. He became very ill during the tournament and had to be hospitalized before the start of round 22. This virtually ended his chance to challenge the current World Chess Champion this championship cycle. While in the hospital Tal didn't get many visitors. His Russian compatriots couldn't be bothered to go and cheer up poor Mikhail. However, Bobby Fischer, an American and sworn enemy of Russian chess, did! They played chess while Tal's amused doctor looked on and advised Mikhail that he should be resting and not exerting himself playing chess. Mikhail Tal died of kidney failure in 1992.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Curacao 1962
In 1962, on the Island of Curacao, a legendary Candidates Tournament took place. All the big names of the chess world were present. Two of them are pictured above...Mikhail Tal and Bobby Fischer. Tal had already been World Champion (1960-1961) and Fischer was to be World Champion (1972-1975). Why are they playing in a hospital? That is easy. Tal's health had always been suspect since childhood and he suffered with a kidney disease as an adult. He became very ill during the tournament and had to be hospitalized before the start of round 22. This virtually ended his chance to challenge the current World Chess Champion this championship cycle. While in the hospital Tal didn't get many visitors. His Russian compatriots couldn't be bothered to go and cheer up poor Mikhail. However, Bobby Fischer, an American and sworn enemy of Russian chess, did! They played chess while Tal's amused doctor looked on and advised Mikhail that he should be resting and not exerting himself playing chess. Mikhail Tal died of kidney failure in 1992.
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2 comments:
Can you say, "Awwwwwww"!?!
By all reputable accounts, Bobby Fischer was really good friends with Mikhail Tal and Boris Spassky, despite his rivalry with them.
I find it fascinating that both Tal and Fischer died of kidney disease. I'll bet Tal's death hit Fischer pretty hard -- but I'd like to think they're together again now, having fun playing chess in a much better world than this one!
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