The 1972 World Chess Championships had a positive impact on views of society and politics within a time of détente and the Vietnam War within the cold war period, lessening tensions. The media portrayed the match as an ideological battle, exaggerating the political importance of the match, convincing society of the political importance of the match. The match attracted the attention of the Soviet Security Agency, the KGB, as well Henry Kissinger, the US National Security Advisor. Even though this was the case, the match had minimal effects on politics. Additionally, the match influenced society to be more accepting of the opposing ideologies between the United States(US) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics(USSR). Robert James Fischer’s
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The two major superpowers fought against one another in the Korean War(1950-1953) and the Vietnam War(1962-1975). The 1972 world chess championships was a symbolic battle, however, Fischer would have left out ‘symbolic’, as he believed he was a lone fighter for the free world. Fischer believed he was the best player in the world. Due to this, the media portrayed him as insolent, arrogant and cocky. Public interest only started to emerge after Fischer beat another grandmaster, Mark Taimanov 6-0 in the Candidates Tournament, an unprecedented performance. Alternatively, chess fell under ‘ideology’ in the Soviet political system. Tsar Nicholas II granted the first official ‘Grandmaster’ title. Both Marx and Lenin were keen chess players. Successful players were seen as heroes in their homeland. Chess held a political history within the USSR and had gaining social importance in the US. Within the context of the Cold War, this match could be viewed from a political perspective and did cause government intervention. This perspective, however, is flawed, as for serious governmental operations the match held no immediate
The two major superpowers fought against one another in the Korean War(1950-1953) and the Vietnam War(1962-1975). The 1972 world chess championships was a symbolic battle, however, Fischer would have left out ‘symbolic’, as he believed he was a lone fighter for the free world. Fischer believed he was the best player in the world. Due to this, the media portrayed him as insolent, arrogant and cocky. Public interest only started to emerge after Fischer beat another grandmaster, Mark Taimanov 6-0 in the Candidates Tournament, an unprecedented performance. Alternatively, chess fell under ‘ideology’ in the Soviet political system. Tsar Nicholas II granted the first official ‘Grandmaster’ title. Both Marx and Lenin were keen chess players. Successful players were seen as heroes in their homeland. Chess held a political history within the USSR and had gaining social importance in the US. Within the context of the Cold War, this match could be viewed from a political perspective and did cause government intervention. This perspective, however, is flawed, as for serious governmental operations the match held no immediate