"The Applause" | Fischer vs Spassky | (1972) | Game 6

How can one not admire Spassky? He is exactly what I aspire to be as a person. To stand up and join in applause for your adversary..he applauded for his love of the game. A well played game, even if you're on the losing end, is a win for chess itself no matter how you cut it. To rise above your ego to recognize the sheer elegance on display facilitated by the game you love is the highest degree of sportsmanship.

I have the same strategy as Bobby: I learn the losing moves. But then I play them.

Mad respect to Spassky for applauding Fischer. That's a really classy move.

The Queen's Gambit scene with Harmon vs Borgov surely was inspired by this game, at least the scenario and applause, if not the actual game which was based on Ivanchuk/Wolf.

Bobby Fischer died at the age of 64. That's one year for every field on a chessboard.

Fischer and Spassky after the match....became and remained lifelong friends (as much as it was possible for anyone to be Fischer's friend). I believe it was Spassky applauding Fischer that did it. Fischer had always wanted recognition and respect and Spassky accomplished both for and to him. Spassky....a true gentleman.

I was 11 years old staying with friends in the Netherlands. Every day my mother and I would play through the game from the newspaper on my magnetic travel chess set. Fischer was my hero.

13:42 "black is completely... (what to replace the f word)... destroyed" hahahha

I want a T-shirt that says Captures Captures

Spassky seems like the nicest world champion

Spassky was such a gentleman - well-mannered, well-dressed, patient, and not a political animal, so different from so many other Soviet players. Especially his second. There's no way Geller or Botvinnik would have even considered applauding a brilliancy played against them by an American.

When you put this game in stockfish Bobby played virtually every stockfish recommended move. However in a few instances he actually played a better move than the suggested Stockfish move where if you play it Stockfish shows an even higher evaluation than its original suggested move. The only mistake I found by Bobby in this game was 34. Bd3 which Stockfish analyzes as +5.6 where it suggests 34. Rh5 at +9.52

I think Fischer said after the game something like he left quickly because he was afraid Spassky's clapping and sportsmanship would soften him and take away from his desire to crush him

I think its worth mentioning that Spaasky has never lost with this opening before and Fischer has never won with it, so to play that opening in itself is quite amazing by Fischer but when you also consider the importance and magnitude of this historic game 6 it really is quite remarkable and admirable. What a game, what a gentleman Spaasky is, but what a magnificent player Fischer was.

Boris Spassky: the Definition of True Sportsmanship

Thanks so much! I remember watching this match when they televised it on PBS. My family were big chess fans and it's it shame the current chess championships gain no notoriety in the U.S. television market. The dumbing down of the U.S. Citizenry has been going on for a long, long time.

My girlfriend invited me to dinner, but I was too busy increasing my vast knowledge.

I am a landscape architecture student in germany. On one of my first Project, we have to plan a new inner city place. So I Chose a chess table just like in the parks in the USA and in other Countrys. The only thing my Prof said is that no one nowadays plays chess anymore... I was deeply sad about this... But I tell ya guys. There will be no Park under my project without at least one chess board. Such a beautiful game and you do so many for the Community of chess with your videos. If I have some money in the future you get for sure some of it. Your work should be appreciate. One love guys. Have a good one. Thanks for the videos !!!

You are the reason I starting playing chess, you opened my world and gave me a reason to live, when I thought life just about check mated me. I’ll forever be in gratitude to your highlighted games, information, and your obvious passion for chess. Cheers

I love how when Agadmator's covering Bobby Fischer's games he can't stop saying: "an excelent move!"