Russian chess master Boris Spassky is in Iceland visiting his one-time nemesis at the chess board, Bobby Fischer.
In 1972, Fischer famously won his challenge to the then reigning world champion Spassky in a tournament in Reykjavik.
The two met again for a rematch in 1992 in former Yugoslavia. Fischer’s participation in that tournament led to his indictment in the U.S. for having violated sanctions against Serbia. He has not returned to the US since. Under a special act of law, last March the Icelandic parliament Alþingi granted Fischer Icelandic citizenship, and he now lives in Iceland.
Spassky’s stated purpose with his visit is to draw Fischer back to the chessboard. Fischer has given up traditional chess, favoring instead his own variation of the age-old board game.
