The book of sorrow


Jacek Bednarski Jacek Bednarski b. 12 Mar 1939 (Cracow), d. 19 Oct 2008 (Wrocław)
Legendary Polish IM. POL-ch (1963), 5x Polish Olympic team member (beat a.o. Geller), 7th Capablanca mem (1967), 1st Lublin (1972), 1st Eksjö (1976). Charismatic personality, never coped well with zeitnots. He was of poor health as heavy smoker. Top Elo: 2395.
Record file :: Wikipedia article [PL]

Rosa Lallemand Roza Lallemand (nee Te) b. 8 Aug 1961 (Russia), d. 26 Aug 2008 (France)
The French player of Russian origin died of a heart attack at mere 47. 1st in 2001 Euro TCh, 3rd in French Ch in 2001 and 2003. WGM 2000. Top FIDE: 86. (2001).
Record file :: Wikipedia article

Karen Asrian Karen Asrian b. 24 Apr 1980, d. 9 Jun 2008 (Yerevan)
Was GM from Armenia. Allegedly died of a heart attack thoug he was yound and healthy man. 2nd in World U16 Ch in 1996. 3rd in World U20 Ch (2000). 3xCh of Armenia (1999,2007,2008). 5xOlympiads, team gold in 2006, team bronze in 2002. Ind. gold in World TCh in 2005, team bronze in 2001 and 2005. GM 1998. Top FIDE: 61. (2006).
Record file :: Wikipedia article

Robert J. Fischer Robert James Fischer b.9 Mar 1943, d. 17 Jan 2008 (Reykajavik)
Legenday American GM. 11th World Champion 1972-1975. US jun ch at 13 (1956), US NM at 12 (youngest ever). 8x US Ch (1958-61, 1963-64, 1966-67). In 1964 scored 11/11, only one ever to do so. 4x Olympiad US team member (team silver in 1960 and 1966, 3x individual award). Tied for 5th (6th in the World) in Candidate tourn in Yugoslavia in 1959 (aged 16). 4th in Candidate tourn in Curacao in 1962. Withdrew from 1966 WCh cycle. In 1965 he won Capablanca mem in Havana playing by telegraph due to US embargo imposed on Cuba. In 1967 withdrew from interzonal in Tunisia (despite being on firm halfway lead). In 1970 won interzonal in Spain, then beat Taimanov (6-0), Larsen (6-0) and Petrosian (6.5-2.5) to face Spassky in a WCh match in Iceland, which he won 12.5-8.5 to become World Champion. He subsequently retired from pro chess only to appear in 1992 in the revenge match with Spassky. In 1988 filed for a patent for the increment digital clock. As his mental and physical condition began deteriorating rapidly he passed aged 64 due to kidney failure. Buried in Laugardælir cemetary, Iceland. GM 1957. Top FIDE: 1. with Elo 2785 (1972).
Record file :: Wikipedia article