How Bobby Fischer (briefly) changed America

Our take: In 1972, young Bobby Fischer wowed the world when he defeated Boris Spassky in the chess world championship. His victory and the buzz that washed over the U.S. like a wave arguably, yet briefly, changed the world. In his article written for Bloomberg, Stephen L. Carter argues that the way Bobby Fischer changed the world of yesterday would be difficult for today's society hyped up on sensational news and celebrity drama.

This summer marks the anniversary of an extraordinary moment in U.S. history: the 1972 match in which the American genius Bobby Fischer defeated the Soviet wizard Boris Spassky for the chess championship of the world.

The battle probably should have been just one more headline in an eventful three months that saw the Watergate burglary, the expulsion of the Soviet military from Egypt and the humiliating dismissal of vice presidential nominee Thomas Eagleton from the Democratic ticket. Somehow the story of Fischer and Spassky and their epic match, which ended 40 years ago this month, captured our attention in a way that no struggle of intellect has since.

Read more about How Bobby Fischer (briefly) changed America on Bloomberg.