Wayne Frostick

@wfrostick.bsky.social

Just a Chess Punk, trying not to bore people to death, while I try to improve at chess. #chesspunks

SfBF part 11 (2nd try) Memorabilia from the 1972 WC match on display in the Laugardalsholl sports centre, including a program signed by both players. I was lucky enough that a member of staff very kindly offered to show me around.

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Obviously I prefer algebraic notation and find it easier, but I honestly don’t think that descriptive notation, though slightly awkward and inconvenient, is actually that hard and can easily be learnt with a little bit of practice. I don’t understand what all the fuss is about? 🤔 #chesspunks

SfBF part 9 The other companion on my trip was The Match of All Time, by G Thorarinsson, who was head of the Icelandic chess federation at the time. It is a fascinating insight into the match and the back stage drama. Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in the 1972 WC. #chesspunks

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SfBF part 8 The Laugardalsholl sports centre in Reykjavik, where the rescheduled drawing of lots took place on Thursday 6th July. Fischer picked a black pawn, so had black in the first game. The match finally started on Tuesday 11th July.

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SfBF part 7 Bobby Fischer stayed in room 470 of the Hotel Loftleidir, now the Berjaya Reykjavik Natura Hotel. This 3 room suite, know as the Gimli suite was sadly booked during our stay, so we were unable to view it, or stay in it.

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SfBF part 6 When Bobby Fischer finally arrived in Iceland, he was initially taken to a brand new house which had been set aside for him, but he was unhappy with the accommodation and moved to the Hotel Loftleidir, where he stayed for the majority of the tournament.

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SfBF part 5 The National Theatre of Iceland, in Reykjavik, where the opening ceremony for the 1972 WC match took place on 1st July. Controversial Bobby Fischer was not in attendance as he was refusing to leave the United States at the time.

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SfBF part 2. As well as being the International airport, Keflavik is also home to a US military base. In 1972 this was the site of the only bowling alley in Iceland. During the match Bobby Fischer would often visit the base for “games” of bowling and steak dinners.

Searching for Bobby Fischer (SfBF) a personal journey - part 1. Keflavik airport in Iceland, where Boris Spassky and his entourage arrived on 21 June 1972 and Bobby Fischer eventually arrived at 7am on 4 July 1972, ahead of their World Championship match. #chesspunks

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