Chess Player Cards Magnus,Fischer

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Not a difficult card, but probably my favorite aesthetically.

Is Bobby Fischer widely collected? I understand his importance in the chess world, but his antisemitism and glee over 9/11 seems like he would fall into the Hitler, O.J. Simpson, Aaron Hernandez category of people most collectors would not want to have in their collections?

I am not criticizing anyone who collects Fischer, but I am curious as to how he is viewed. I would have thought there was at least somewhat of a stigma associated with collecting him.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

Is Bobby Fischer widely collected? I understand his importance in the chess world, but his antisemitism and glee over 9/11 seems like he would fall into the Hitler, O.J. Simpson, Aaron Hernandez category of people most collectors would not want to have in their collections?

I am not criticizing anyone who collects Fischer, but I am curious as to how he is viewed. I would have thought there was at least somewhat of a stigma associated with collecting him.

I don't know the answer to that. Personally, I separate it, and attribute all of that to mental illness although perhaps that's wrong.

From AI
While no formal diagnosis was made, many experts and observers believed Bobby Fischer exhibited signs of a serious mental health condition, with paranoid personality disorder being a strong possibility due to his extreme paranoia and suspicion. His behavior was characterized by reclusiveness, eccentricities like removing dental fillings out of fear, and public outbursts, particularly after he stopped competitive chess, which is when his mental state seemed to deteriorate significantly.
His extreme views, including antisemitic remarks despite his Jewish heritage, also led to speculation about his psychological condition.

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I don't know the answer to that. Personally, I separate it, and attribute all of that to mental illness although perhaps that's wrong.

From AI
While no formal diagnosis was made, many experts and observers believed Bobby Fischer exhibited signs of a serious mental health condition, with paranoid personality disorder being a strong possibility due to his extreme paranoia and suspicion. His behavior was characterized by reclusiveness, eccentricities like removing dental fillings out of fear, and public outbursts, particularly after he stopped competitive chess, which is when his mental state seemed to deteriorate significantly.
His extreme views, including antisemitic remarks despite his Jewish heritage, also led to speculation about his psychological condition.

Thank you for the reply, Peter. I was interested to hear how collectors in this thread felt because I know Fischer really seemed to go off the rails and expressed a lot of hateful opinions late in life.

[Arazi4442]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

Is Bobby Fischer widely collected? I understand his importance in the chess world, but his antisemitism and glee over 9/11 seems like he would fall into the Hitler, O.J. Simpson, Aaron Hernandez category of people most collectors would not want to have in their collections?

I am not criticizing anyone who collects Fischer, but I am curious as to how he is viewed. I would have thought there was at least somewhat of a stigma associated with collecting him.

It's a good question. Personally, I still have a couple of his cards. (The PC above and a KTAV). I think Peter got it right when he said most people chalk up his actions/comments late in life to mental illness, as I do. Something he showed signs of even earlier in his life.

While what he said was truly abhorrent, I think it's a bit of a stretch to throw him in with Hitler, OJ and Aaron Hernandez. He never physically hurt or killed people to the best of my knowledge. Mental illness is mf'er. I don't have much issue separating what he turned into later in life with what he accomplished.

[Peter_Spaeth]

For anyone interested in his psyche this is mandatory reading.
http://www.thestacksreader.com/the-day-bobby-blew-it/

[Bored5000]

I did not mean to equate Fischer with notorious murderers. I just mentioned those examples as people who a lot of collectors would not want in their collections. I was just wondering if there is a stigma with collecting him.

[Arazi4442]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

I did not mean to equate Fischer with notorious murderers. I just mentioned those examples as people who a lot of collectors would not want in their collections. I was just wondering if there is a stigma with collecting him.

Understood. Like I said, it's a fair question. He really went off the rails there at the end. I've never heard it brought up as a negative in collecting cards of him, though the chess card community isn't really that big - I'd bet we got most of the heavy hitters on this thread with Peter and breakfastcereal.

I'm just happy a thread about this might make it to two pages!

[breakfastcereal]

Hikaru into the Candidates. He has one of the best rookie cards of any current players. On card auto!