Bobby Fischer's arrogance? Or is he arrogant?

I've recently (which is today, lol) checked on some chess quotes. And I decided to start on the beloved American chess genius, Robert (Bobby of course) Fischer. At first I was amazed by his splendid words UNTIL: "They're all weak, all women. They're stupid compared to men. They shouldn't play chess, you know. They're like beginners. They lose every single game against a man. There isn't a woman player in the world I can't give knight-odds to and still beat." Wait, wait, wait. Was he expressing something or was he just another sexist? Women aren't better than man at chess but this quote really disrespected them.

Oh wait, here's another quote from his mouth: "I love the game - and I hate the Russians because they've almost ruined it. They only risk the title when they have to, every three years. They play for draws with each other but play to win against the Western masters. Draws make for dull chess, wins make for fighting chess." Now its not just sexist but racist? No not racist but please Bobby there's no need to offend the nation with the best players do we?

I don't even know if he was being arrogant or offensive but all we know that he knew whats going on with his life and planned it well and perfect.

He had every right to be arrogant, unlike some.

Hmmm, I guess you're right Suomi.

as for his first quote that women are weak it is true, however this does not mean that they should not play chess. The russian's comment was uneaded, but it has happened before that people from the same country have joined together and "cheated" by drawing each other and trying to help each other along, though he was very blunt!

Ok... Informative...

Bahasa Indonesia, like the hell we don't know.

Dank u achja, you have my respect (for Bobby mostly)

He's playing chess with Elvis and no longer arrogant.

Fischer was a genius on the chess board, but a rotten human being...I read where he spat on someone asking for an authograph...he celebrated the attack on 9/11...he certainly held no respect for women chess players (or was that women in general?)...he said so many stuff about jews etc. The negative things that he mouthed about everything and everyone under the sun, is way too many to list here. But on the 64 squares he had no equal. From what I read about him, he was also very selfish...maybe the most selfish thing he did, was refusing to defend the WCC. Fischer vs Karpov or Fischer vs Kasparov are games that Bobby withheld from the history of chess. Some say he was mentally ill, others say he was just a mean individual...who knows?

+1

The road to world chess champion can be a lonely road. Bobby may not have known too much about appearing to be a nice guy. Having said that, there are many nice guys who are terrible at chess.

Fischer got nervous when interviewed by the media, he would say shocking things to take the focus away from him and to the things he said. He was very misunderstood. Its too bad in todays super politcally correct world, people only judge you on the things you say, and not the things you do. I've talked to people who said he was a horrible person, I ask them to name one horrible thing he ever did to anyone. Silence.

Fischer had some friendly chess interactions with the Polgar family many years before his death.  I'm guessing that he met the Polgars some time after making his comment about "giving knight odds to any woman" (am I incorrect?).  Judit, Susan, and Sophia probably had not yet reached their peak chess skill at that time, but I wonder if Bobby Fischer could have beat any of them with one of his knights missing?  Seems doubtful to me.  Does anyone know if Fischer ever gave any of the Polgar sisters knight odds?

That was later. Still, he was driven to be the best at something and he accomplished it.

I think judit is a member here or at least a sometimes visitor/contributor?  You might be able to actually ask this question from the one person who knows.

" "They're all weak, all women. They're stupid compared to men. They shouldn't play chess, you know. They're like beginners. They lose every single game against a man. There isn't a woman player in the world I can't give knight-odds to and still beat." Wait, wait, wait. Was he expressing something or was he just another sexist? Women aren't better than man at chess but this quote really disrespected them. "

This is quoted most likely from a Fischer's interview around 1960 and Bobby always told what he thought to be the truth rather blatantly. He would not repeat that in 1990. 

"I love the game - and I hate the Russians because they've almost ruined it. They only risk the title when they have to, every three years. They play for draws with each other but play to win against the Western masters. Draws make for dull chess, wins make for fighting chess."

This was said in 1963 after Curasao Pretenders tournament when Petrosian, Geller and Keres agreed to draw all games between them and to save their fighting forces for others, including Korchnoi (who was also a Soviet player that time). That was their personal arrangement. Nothing like this happened at other tournaments.

Of course, Bobby was frustrated about his losses and sounded with bitterness, but he had to understand that he just was not strong enough then.  

Anyway, with all his sayings, Bobby Fischer was a very nice person (although somewhat naive), much better than the sociopath and egocentric maniak that is Kasparov.

I would be honored to hear from GM Judit Polgar, but I wouldn't want to bother her by contacting her directly, especially since there should be some historians here who know the answer to the question (did Bobby Fischer ever play any of the Polgar sisters at knight odds?).  If we're lucky she'll notice this thread and surprise us with answer.  I bet Fischer knew he could not give knight odds to any of the Polgar sisters.

The Polgar sisters weren't players anyone could give knight odds to. Susan Polgar talks about doing well in her Fischerandom blitz games against Fischer in -92 (and Judit was stronger, beating Anand twice the previous year).

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/011809/col_378558316.shtml

A short interview with Sofia Polgar, where she talks about Fischer being really mad at her for giving a simul in an American club, and how she isn't sure that she is glad that she ever met him since one always could doubt the things one read about him while it was different after meeting him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpHyqg-gM-s

Fischer was a great chess player who had opinions on various things that were controversial and politically incorrect, and made the mistake of voicing those opinions in public.