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Events on Thursday 17 January 2008 2
1943 – 2008Bobby FischerAmerican World Chess ChampionBobby Fischer became World Champion in 1972 after defeating Boris Spassky in the famous Cold War match in Reykjavik. He dramatically increased global interest in chess.
1943 – 2008Bobby Fischer (1943-2008)Died 17 January 2008, aged 64American chess grandmaster who became world champion in 1972 after defeating Boris Spassky in a Cold War-era match watched around the world. He spent his later years in self-imposed exile and died in Reykjavik, Iceland.