Checkmate

What I didn't predict - Bobby Fischer (should a grown man ever be named Bobby?) died yesterday. The often tormented and predictably odd behavior that frequently afflicts genius chess grandmasters who are utterly bored & seemingly can't be bothered by the illogical behavior of the mere mortals that must inhabit the planet with them. One commentator said there was one constant through his life -- his "running battle with the rest of the human race".

As demonstrated by other notable former world chess champions on their reaction to his death, these guys think on a different level:

Garry Kasparov hailed Fischer as a pioneer of professional chess. "We have lost a great individual. He was always alone ... But while alone he demonstrated that a human being is capable of reaching new heights. We have lost a great warrior, we have lost a great mind."

On the other hand Boris Spassky, who now lives in Paris, was less eloquent on the subject of Fischer. Asked by Reuters for his reaction, he said: "It's bad luck for you. Bobby Fischer is dead," then hung up.