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Bobby Fischer

Later Years and Controversy

Fischer largely withdrew from public life after relinquishing his championship. He reemerged briefly in 1992 for an unofficial rematch against Boris Spassky in Montenegro and Serbia, then part of a sanctions-targeted Yugoslavia. The match violated U.S. government sanctions, and Fischer was subsequently indicted for participating in the event, prompting a prolonged period of isolation and legal trouble.

Related Biography: Lana Lokteff

Throughout his later years, Fischer remained a polarizing figure, known as much for his unpredictable behavior and controversial views as for his chess mastery. His public statements and actions often overshadowed his earlier achievements in the minds of many observers.

Death and Legacy

Bobby Fischer died on January 17, 2008, of renal failure at the National University Hospital in Reykjavík, Iceland, at the age of 64. Though his later life was marked by controversy, his legacy as a chess prodigy and the eleventh World Chess Champion remains influential. Fischer’s profound impact on the game continues to inspire players and scholars, and his legacy stands as a testament to the genius and complexity of one of chess’s most enigmatic figures.

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Quick Facts
Birth Date: 9 Mar, 1943
Age: 77 yrs
Occupations: Chess player
Writer
Inventor
Citizenship: Iceland
United States of America
Birth Place: Chicago
Education: Erasmus Hall High School
Gender: Male
Description: American chess player and chess writer
Spouse: Miyoko Watai
Net Worth 2021: 5 million
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Last Modified: Sep 5 2025
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