Former world chess champion Fischer dies

Former world chess champion Fischer dies

Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer smiles during his match against his archrival Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, in the Yugoslav resort of Sveti Stefan in this Sept. 1992 file photo. Fischer, who became America's first and only world chess champion after defeating the Spassky at the height of the Cold War, has died at the age of 64. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Bobby Fischer, who became America's first and only world chess champion after defeating the Spassky at the height of the Cold War, has died at the age of 64.

Gardar Sverrisson, a spokesman for the reclusive Fischer, said the chess genius died at midday on Jan. 17, 2008 in Reykjavik, the site of his famous victory over Spassky.

Sverrisson said Fischer had died after a serious, but unspecified, illness.

Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer smiles during his match against his archrival Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, in the Yugoslav resort of Sveti Stefan in this Sept. 1992 file photo. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer (R) gestures during his match against his archrival Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, in the Yugoslav resort of Sveti Stefan in this Sept. 1992 file photo. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer (R) gestures during his match against his archrival Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, in the Yugoslav resort of Sveti Stefan in this Sept. 1992 file photo. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer looks at chess pieces during his match against his archrival Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union, in the Yugoslav resort of Sveti Stefan in this Sept. 1992 file photo. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)