Could Today's 2600 GMs All Beat Bobby Fischer?

Since chess knowledge grows over time (not necessarily skill - I'm differentiating between the two), I'm wondering if all of today's ELO 2600+ GMs could beat Bobby Fischer in his prime?  

What I mean is assume Fischer's knowledge of chess and skill level were frozen in time and that he had never read another chess book/article, played another game, learned another new fact, etc. since the peak of his ability.  Now take that Fischer and match him up against any 2600+ GM of today - be it Magnus Carlsen (2863), Peter Svidler (2732), Yifan Hou (2673), David Howell (2657), etc.  What would the result be?  

Are today's 2600+ GMs playing at a proficiency of yesteryear's top players and world champions?  In other words, would these players' updated knowledge plus whatever innate skill they have be enough to overcome or, at least, match the best players of a generation ago?

Certainly in terms of pure skill (not knowledge), most would probably agree that Fischer was only matched by a few in history and was possibly the best ever.  But if we throw knowledge into the equation, I'm wondering if today's 2600+ GMs would have enough of an edge in updated knowledge of the game plus whatever skill they have to overcome a guy like Fischer in his prime if they played today? 

Bobby Fischer was a great genius! I remember one adjourned game in his famous title match against Boris Spassky. The elite Russian Grand masters analize the position all night and were sure the game Wii will end in a draw. But Fischer won that game! Hence I believe he is the greatest!

Very interesting story.  

Yes.  I agree Fischer had amazing chess IQ.  However, I think my question still has merit, because we can imagine a scenario in which enough chess knowledge has changed and been updated to make previous players' ideas no longer viable.  Of course, some things will be universal and timeless in chess.  But there are also things that have changed since Fischer's time.  

Without that updated knowledge, how good would Fischer be today?

I feel more confident that today's 2700 players would have a clear superiority over the Fischer of 1972. 2600 not enough I think.

It's a good question.  Here is, perhaps, assistance in answering it:

Using the modern computer analysis that the super GM's use today:

How does the Fischer chess of 1972 analysis compare to what the 'computer says' today?

That's much more difficult to imagine, because you would have to be projecting how well you think those players would have played without engines. The OP is simply comparing the actual level of play that players from different eras achieved, which doesn't involve any type of projection.

Not that that answers your question, of course. I'm just saying that your question is a difficult one to answer.

Fischers peak live rating was 2789.7 so yes, I believe a 2600 would be a major underdog. Not to mention rating inflation...

40 in 2 time control over the board, no adjournment- I'll take Fischer

40 in 2, over the board with an adjournment, no computer analysis- I'll take Fischer

40 in 2, OTB with an adjournment, & Bobby knows how to use computer analysis as well- I'll take Fischer

If Fischer got out of the opening and early middlegame without significant disadvantage he would be fine. His late middle game and engame play would be as good as anyone's. The question is how much he would be hampered by lack of knowledge. I point out that Fischer often liked sharp tactical lines. I think that a Fischer armed with 1972 knowledge would be well advised not to play a Najdorf against, say, Topalov. If he played a classical Ruy Lopez he would probably get killed if he allowed the Marshall.

petrip wrote:

computer analysis of past master indicate that already Lasker was at the level of 2700. I am sure Bobb was there too. Accumulation of information is not that important. Even for grandmaster positional understanding and analytical skills rule, not knowing latest opening lines.

So my guess is that BF would hold his own against almost anyone today

Not even close.  Give Fischer an hour to go through databases with Stockfish and he'd be caught up enough to wipe the floor with any GM not in the top 5.  

It's odd how unanswerable questions are posed so often on chess.com. I wonder why.

Oh, please, Steve Bute, unanswerable questions do not exist, perhaps the wording of a question is not so correct as to avoid misinterpreting, but still, let the questions come !

In my opinion not "so often" as you say, I wonder what you actually mean to say ?   Regards, RomyGer

2600? Even 2700 GMs wouldn't be able to keep up with him in a match. Maybe the top 10 players in the world would have a winning chance against him but everyone else, hardly.

fischer´s top rating would be around 2960 today. so no, a 2600 player would lose. just like magnus carlsen.

Why 2600 ?  Fischer was 2785 in a time when he was the ONLY player over 2700 .  2600 was much harder to achieve in the 70s than it is today so 2600s today are likely weaker than 2600s in the 70s .  Fischer would smash today's 2600s and probably the 2700s as well .  Only those above 2750 today might give Fischer some problems , even so my money would be on Fischer until he faced those over 2800 .... 

Only if the 2600's played with chess engines in their shoes.

Are you guys sure about Fischer?  I mean even guys like Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov have been beaten by young, up-and-coming players of their day not too long after being active.  For example, Judit Polgar beat both of them on her way to top 10.  

And remember that Karpov and Kasparov were living and playing actively (and dominating) since the time of Fischer's peak and they were aware of all the latest developments in chess up until their retirements.  And yet someone like Polgar could just beat them.  

Fischer's peak would have been even further removed from Polgar than Karpov and Kasparov's peaks.  

Just throwing this in there for counter-argument.  I wonder if we're possibly mythologizing Fischer too much?

Player profile: Judit Polgar
    Player profile: Garry Kasparov