Chess - A State of Mind

A documentary from 1986 showing some of the chess greats.

[@aesaehttr]

Karpov was born with that haircut and still sports it to this day

[@ernestoguevara7624]

Botvinnik choosed the haircut of Karpov

[@kishascape]

He was like the ReviewBrah of his time.

[@SuperLalulalu]

I lost it when Spassky does Karpov impression XD

[@mrkkdc6592]

Stupid human being you are.

[@nb9326]

Wtf why?

[@MrSupernova111]

Me too. hahaha

[@concars1234]

lmao I laughed at that too

[@SuperLalulalu]

@Peter Mortensen @17:35

[@carlossimancas9867]

Spassky was always known because of his great humour: when a young Kasparov asked him in 1981 how to beat Petrosian, the great Boris made the point: "you should grab slightly just one of his balls, and not strongly the two of them". And Kasparov understood: "I took the advice and just one year later I managed to beat Petrosian in a smoothly positional game" (GK)

[@xekind]

His impression of Karpov in this video is hilarious.

[@kishascape]

Spassky was also best friends with Fischer in the last decades of his life.

[@TB-ih7bg]

Karpov had such a distinctive aura back then: completely enigmatic; cool and collected; and a silent killer at the chess board.

[@edvardskryten8956]

Fischer's aura was immense in comparison to Karpovs.

[@mjelement89]

Like a james bond villain ....

[@RocketKirchner]

'' When inn doubt , move a piece '' Karpov

[@WeCube1898]

Karpov is like a Baby Face Assassin.

[@severito33]

Karpov is sometimes underestimated because of his introverted personality and fragile appearance, but he was a dragon slayer.

[@enigma9306]

"His mind is very exact, precise... like a fish"

[@MrSupernova111]

I think Korchnoi disliked Karpov. LOL

[@John-cm3yo]

That's pure jealesy!

[@SelfReflective]

@@MrSupernova111 Yeah. Again, Korchnoi defected to Switzerland. No Soviet player would dare mock Karpov in such a way. And the reason Korchnoi was so dismissive of Karpov is because Karpov beat him again and again, and deprived him of the world title.

[@nelsonx5326]

Not sure if that was an insult. It's like saying he blocks out all distractions and is purely focused on what he does, chess.

[@SelfReflective]

@Daniel Josefson Spassky was not technically a Soviet player at the time, he defected to France in 1976. After the fall of Communism he returned to Russia. The Soviet communist system was very strict, dissent was not tolerated, and all forms of criticism of authority strictly forbidden. Karpov, as a world champion, would be protected from mockery and criticism from any Soviet player. In fact, it's hard to imagine how a Soviet citizen could even express such criticism. All media outlets were controlled by the government, there was no platform one could use to say "I don't like what the government is doing", etc... The video you're watching is a British production, and the people in it are speaking freely because they can. Notice no other Soviet player (and there were many) is featured in the video!

[@ems3832]

Spassky's impression of Karpov at 17:37 is wildly hilarious! I crack up every time I watch it! =)

[@spyros07]

Ιndeed but Karpov will always be remembered as a chess beast and gentleman more than anything else.

[@moritzscheftner1333]

the funny thing is that he breaks out of his usual gentleman routine...it's totally unexpected but typically russian

[@Denver10215]

EMS classic

[@boardvision11]

Incredible...made my day.

[@esmailghassemi3169]

Karpov actually talking in the very next segment checkmates it 😁😂

[@multiio1424]

The cut from Spassky imitating Karpov's voice to Karpov's voice sounding exactly like the imitation really sells this one.

[@antipodesman]

I am impressed that all the Russian masters speak English so well.

[@laksoysoy]

I know right, but now all the Russian online game players I met don't speak English well

[@aemilivsivlivs5716]

All?? Karpov???

[@mellotronage7073]

Fischer learned Russian, so he could understand Russian chess books & magazines. He then was able to use popular lines of Russian chess play thinking, find their faults/ weaknesses & dismantle Russian players at the board, methodically. Fischer also enjoyed randomly laughing at people (probably Russians more than others) at the board. He knew that this laugh tactic would tend to unravel weaker-minded players psychologically.

[@kimthompson6686]

They knew how to count American dollars also!! So much for communism!

[@yanair2091]

@@kimthompson6686 What are you talking about? As far as I know, their revenue was miserable, and up to 90% would end up in the hands of various party controlled committees.

[@MrSupernova111]

This is a precious documentary. There are many great insights here.

[@AlonsoRules]

Fischer/Karpov - the greatest Chess match of all time that we never saw

[@140TrillionSuns]

Anthony Kernich i will tell u a story about chess wen 2 gods of chess come here at earth posses 2 body and make a the greates game of chess thr last game of chess all other games are just games this one is last one and search this to youtube and after u can replay me about who is the greates game ever "Mikhal Tal vs Aleksander Kobles :1957

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

hagnuj They were even more than mad! He lost major support for showing such a sign of weakness. I do think it odd that he said, prior to playing Karpov for the right to play Fischer, he said that no one was capable of defeating the American Genius.

[@discouniverse]

you mean staged match?

[@mrkkdc6592]

Simple explanation: all were jews. There was never such thing as "Russian Government".

[@Deibler666]

Fischer would've catch the fish.

[@mrkreepers1489]

I come here at least once a week just to watch Spasky talk about Karpov 17:30

[@MrSupernova111]

Why did other Russian players hate Karpov so much?

[@John-cm3yo]

Supernova great men are always hated for their greatness.

[@SelfReflective]

@@MrSupernova111 Spassky defected to France, he was too much an individual to endure the repressive apparatus of the Soviet system. As an expat, he was free to ridicule Karpov, and he did it mainly because Karpov was a better player than himself. It was jealousy. Had Spassky remained in the USSR, he wouldn't dare mock the world champion.

[@SelfReflective]

@@noneone8726 How about you talk to a girl for a change? A real one, and maybe learn what the love of a woman is.

[@lawbrn67]

Thank you, Rob. The Spassky ad lib of Karpov at 17:30 alone is worth the price of admission!

[@davidcopson5800]

And 'admission' on KZbin was free!

[@chrisnotbad]

Thank you so much for sharing what otherwise would never be seen by us true chess enthusiast . Very rare footage of Capablanca, and Alekhine. Very rare footage throughout period. Thank you again, Rob.

[@dayobtw365]

how r u 8 years later

[@chrisnotbad]

@@dayobtw365 Doing fine. Thanks. Hope all is well on your end too.

[@davidcopson5800]

Kasparov is 12 years younger than Karpov not ten. It is delightful to know that Korchnoi behaved like an angle. What a giant Max Euwe was. Very interesting and absorbing docu'. Now if someone would do and update from Kasparov to Carlsen we would all be very happy.

[@yanair2091]

These old videos are pure gold

[@Ronbo710]

This narrator is GREAT. Love his style.

[@robclark4626]

The narrator was Jeremy James - www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/28/jeremy-james-obituary

[@santanuborah]

Watching in 2020...I need its extended version

[@mikeock2087]

20:05 this man predicted stockfish

[@sondremunthe-kaas8715]

Also Korchnois assessment of Karpov is beyond hilarious. Karpov is still a true gentleman though.

[@zachhaywood1564]

"He loved women, cats, alcohol, and chess." Found my chess spirit animal.

[@vivekwally7376]

My man

[@slowlearnerschessclub7983]

"Uh, Now, however.....however....I....am in a very happy position right now." I'm going to have to start using that line in a game before I sink into deep thought, playing without a clock of course.

[@fetusimao7018]

17:22 great impression of Karpov. 😭😭😭

[@jean-denisharvey5219]

hahahahahahahah ........ hahahahaah again and again till the end of time

[@aleksjeff3088]

Karpov was better than both of them that made fun of him.

[@bustofpallasathena]

@@jean-denisharvey5219 hahahahahahahahahahhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaa

[@roddale8412]

@12:27 Just because he played in game in Cuba by telex (the US government wouldn't allow him access) is not evidence of eccentricity! If you can't be there in person, then telex would been the only way to do it.

[@gazealwee1681]

A very nice documentary movie thank you for the efforts please we need to see more of this

[@colemanadamson5943]

Fabulous mini-documentary.

[@macnolds4145]

A real treat. Thanks for the upload.

[@mr1001nights]

Fischer quotes the Russians as saying when he was 13 that he was a "fine young player but all this publicity is sure to do damage to his character". Very accurate assessment.

[@drieaz]

not accurate! the damage to his character was there Before he ever got any chess publicity!

[@josefadul550]

Yes. See more in www.amazon.com/Chess-Therapy-Jose-Fadul/dp/0557086930

[@andreaanesa5954]

Man, Fisher was just a crazy boy who turned out to be a crazy man. That's a shame because he was a genius in chess, but that's the truth

[@milz7129]

@@andreaanesa5954 He wasn't crazy

[@henryseidel5469]

@@drieaz How often did you meet him then ??

[@randyking9489]

Thank you Rob Clark for an excellent documentary

[@martm216]

Love the chess-clock in the opening shot.

[@Gittoplo]

One of my most fav classical pieces to start off. What an unexpected surprise!

[@levanthasis]

An excellent film.

[@john-carlosynostroza]

I love the tone and overall feel of this little documentary so much! I try to watch it like every few months. I wish I was five times longer! Great stuff.

[@aregnav]

7:39- I love Tal so much! So creepy, though.

[@ringo5721]

His eyes look like they jump straight inside your soul

[@99bits46]

insert alopecia he's a grey ghost

[@dunkel-zombi_fiziert-heit]

yeah, tal was great. xD

[@kdub1242]

Nice documentary. Thanks for the upload.

[@retter2critical]

Great documentary!

[@RicardoAGuitar]

23:59 Sixteen years after that simul, the 11-year-old kid in the video would defeat his simul opponent in a World Championship Candidates match. What strange outcomes life presents.

[@LennoxLewis86]

I love the commentary pairing with some of the footage, like Tal staring at Fischer and Spassky looking deflated as the narrator mentions he is the sole person responsible for defending the honour of his motherland, lol.

[@jimwalker3890]

Omg I love this..reminds me of "The Great Chess Movie"..and yes, Spasskys' impression of Karpov is hilarious..

[@renehenriksen1735]

Korchnoi : "A normal human mind can´t stand such intensive play!"

[@josephbishara4791]

Thanks for the insight into our chess legends (both dead and alive).

[@wallyanimations]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@rgjr1977]

Respect,great upload...Thanks

[@ivanpb1983]

I love the Mr. Peabody narration.

[@waltelbow]

This is amazing!

[@chanky1000]

16:46 Miles talking about the effectiveness of Karpov's preparation is poetic - he actually won with black against Karpov with 1.e4 a6?!

[@xanbex8324]

Totally excellent thanks!

[@naaveenmahadeshwar7889]

Beautifully made! 👌👌👌👌

[@chessophiler]

0:58: Tal vs Benko. Tal won the candidates tournament 1959 to challenge Botvinnik for world championship in 1960 and won. I had read of Tal pacing between moves (ever on the alert) and this is awesome to see! Great vid to see the greats in action!

[@crazyim5]

Karpov was the Carlsen of the pre-computer era! Planning to reading a good Karpov book particularly his positional masterpieces

[@MrSupernova111]

I plan on doing that next. I have long neglected my positional play and I think studying Karpov would make my game much more well rounded.

[@geonerd]

Gobs of wonderful video! Tal the circling shark at 0:58, Spassky's Karpov imitation, etc. Thanks!

[@BillSmith-ed4jg]

Excellent documentary The best I've seen about chess champions

[@rburnettcpa]

Great job!

[@meio4744]

@23.20 "so I behave now myself like an angle" lol

[@petersiegfriedkrug]

great documentary

[@dmaster20ify]

If you listen this documentary properly, you will understand that back in the days these trainers were a World Champion's personal Rybka or Houdini (literally). These trainers actually search out the positions to find traps and advantages. They keep and track records of openings and analyse them deep in order to get an advantage for the World Champion fighter. Which is better, five, ten human beings analyzing a position off the board, or one silican brain computer?

[@Ronbo710]

That's why I don't believe in adjournments and delays. Other than bathroom/refreshment breaks the games should begin and end right there. Otherwise it is a team effort.

[@dmaster20ify]

It sure is a team effort, but it still puts an interesting spin on it. Like a country going to war and using up it's human resources to gain the most advantage.

[@captainnautilus9578]

Obviously humans analyzing arebetter than "one silican brain computer"... what kind of silly question is that??

[@captainnautilus9578]

@Michael Smith that is Pretty obvious. Humans are better because they are humans and not machines, beqcuse its better to do It in a humanly way, regardless od what is more efficient.

[@ChessMasterNate]

@@captainnautilus9578 Machines are not just more efficient they are now vastly ahead of humans. A 2850 human would be expected to loose 997 to 3 in a 1,000 game match. And that is assuming the human does not become demoralized...and what are the chances of that? There have only been 3, 2850 humans: Carlsen, Kasparov, and Carauna. Carlsen topped out at almost 2890. The strongest all-time. That might be good enough for 4 to 996. That is 8 draws and 992 losses. Don't expect the human to win a game. And the machines are not standing still. They accumulate about 50 Elo more every year...not counting hardware improvements. This is also why people are cheating with their phones in the bathroom...even Grand Masters. That wimpy hardware plus these incredible programs means guaranteed win.

[@N1i2m3b4]

thnx 4 uploading

[@sniffableandirresistble]

Fischer Karpov would have been so great!!!

[@dancatchem3813]

I love this so much. the best part is where Spassky is making fun of Karpov then it goes to an interview of him and I just start cracking up

[@theemptyatom]

Spassky's impression of Karpov's "thin voice" . . . priceless :-)

[@nixonradio]

The way it then cuts to the real Karpov and he sounds exactly the same 😂

[@mjelement89]

Karpov is a chess monster!

[@kishascape]

4:08 wow that mini chess board. It’s like the 5 inch folding set I saw on house of Staunton.

[@Pat_Johnson]

Great, footages from Capablanca to Kasparov. We shall see more from them.

[@wernerschacht7642]

wonderful

[@DJFernandezF]

#agadmator brought me here. I'm an excellent subscriber.

[@hyzercreek]

It was in this position that I laughed at your joke.

[@anesmarzouki]

Boy !! the hate on Karpov XD Spassky implying that he sounds like a little girl & Korchnoi saying that he's just stupid and a product of the Commies . hell, even Botvinnik took a swing at him. He sure kicked some ass that Karpov !

[@suvorov4]

Yes, unfortunately, the prime source of criticism is envy.

[@gerardosawaya8994]

Everybody envious of the great Karpov !

[@aleksthegreat4130]

All of them were,let say,the products of a Soviet Chess program,to be fair,very good program-free coaching by the best masters,good scholarship,apartments. The best Soviet players were really privileged.

[@edmund184]

There are no programmes like this on the BBC now.

[@abdulrashid-io1pm]

Bobby: The chess player!!!

[@nukethenarrative5873]

BBC now: "Ten best chess openings for transgender lesbian refugees"

[@arkaitz7605]

haha it's quite funny the way Spassky speaks about Karpov xD

[@2ndAveScents]

If Karpov means “of fish” does that mean.. Kasparov means “of ghost”?

[@randybailin4902]

Spassky does a hilarious of Karpov then Karpov starts speaking and it's even funnier.

[@geronimo8159]

This is gold 😁

[@yousufownzu6902]

Ive always seen spazky as the quiet guy but now he showed his naughty side mimicking karpov lmao

[@petermartin7811]

Mikhail Tal's eyes are hypnotizing

[@pamelahermano9298]

I burst out laughing at Spassky’s imitation of Karpov.

[@gdounito]

lol spassky and korchnoi are possibly pissed or annoyed with karpov's success. I cant imagine how annoying it would be to play against a strong positional player like karpov who doesnt risk (at that certain time in 70's I mean) . After tal and other gm's joined his team he became even stronger and with attacking ideas. the thing is spassky and korchnoi are maybe right on their comments, but being a good and modest student is also one of the ways to become world champ

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

George D. Spassky used Karpov as a 2nd when he played Fischer. They played one Game against one another a Spanish Game that Spassky won easily.

[@gdounito]

they are all equally legends in fans hearts , although korchnoi never won the world title he will be definitely remembered. dont forget that karpov was very young back then, he became a very strong player and better than spassky afterwards. if you like that era of chess read spassky's interview on chess24.com he gives some insights on how fischer managed to beat him and about their friendship

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

Spassky is one of the Greats, no doubt, but hi personal life had a massive negative impact on his Professional life; he and Fischer both ended up ex-pats, or, if you see things differently...

[@nuwandalton]

According to Karpov, he had a winning position in that training game, but somehow lost. Spassky decided that he was in good shape and the remaining games were cancelled

[@MrPeto1212]

You are wrong.Spassky doesnt like karpov because he used politics and worked with soviet authorities a lot.Only Korchnoi was jealous of his success.Spassky is a different person and honourable man,not like Korchnoi or Karpov.

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

"Bobby Fischer trusted noone" Then they show him exercising a routine provided to him by his trainer, whom he trusted.

[@nicholasschroeder3678]

Actually, he's following Jack LaLanne on the TV

[@lucavaldameri641]

Spassky about Karpov was fantastic: ".....with a tiny voice like tètètètètètè"

[@yggdrasil9039]

23:25 Korchnoi behaves like an angle, god bless.

[@josefserf1926]

OMG! Karpov looks emaciated as the match against Kasparov is stopped before it's conclusion.

[@mttrailboss001]

* Chess history.. Very interesting.. Learned a lot about chess history and list of characters'.. Great game, though.. :)

[@rohitrathod8898]

Agadmator army 🤟🏼

[@billy2182]

+rohit rathod Congratulations. You are an excellent observer!

[@wymankaluba3827]

Agadmator brought here

[@SirAyush]

Hello Everyone

[@robertwayner3523]

Heck yes

[@drieaz]

22:41-22:50 ray keene jogging is priceless...

[@GamesJoblin]

hahaha indeed =)

[@MrPooPooJohn]

That music wasn't very flattering either lol

[@dunkel-zombi_fiziert-heit]

what the heck is this nameplate in kyrillic?? Botwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiik xD this footages send shivers down the spine. such great titans, induces so much respect. personalities with an aura. much respect for these masterminds!

[@sebastienbodeau1915]

Good morning. I was chess player in 1700 elos. Fischer were 2780 elos in 1972! This reportage is passionnant because the realisator has actived history chess player : kortchnoi, Fischer, Kasparov, Karpov, Spasski, Petrossian, Euwe max, Larsen, not Tal " The monster of Riga! Larsen is a player Danemark, he has to lose between Fischer with b2. b3 defence Larsen ! 1.0 Fischer!!! Fischer was born in 1943 at New York into Bronx, her sister to pay a games chess for his Robert Fischer. Here, Fischer to pass every her life has destroyed team union soviétique, because she has opposed at Fischer. Fischer was became world champion in the 1972, 2nd September, he has became the eleventh world champion the history chess, he wouldn't to want to play between Karpov in 1975!!! FISCHER . KARPOV : THE MATCH. Thanks for this reportage.

[@Ronbo710]

Does anyone know the name of the Soviet documentary that starts at 5:23 ? I like the announcer and the way it is presented.

[@user-ti6hq2tc9o]

I would love to see that as well!

[@horrortackleharry]

Agghh 22:41 I can't get that sight of Raymundo Keene 'jogging' out of my mind....

[@rupertbaxter2274]

It's hard to imagine Kasparov's letting any of his opponents play white in a simul. (23:47).

[@conjured_up_skeletons6178]

When I played Anand in a 2012 simul I took white and he and the organizers didn't mind. At $100 US dollars a board they've better stayed shut. Still ,Annad destroyed me in 27 moves.

[@raymondschaller1988]

Spassky @ 17:30 saying/doing Karpov speaks in a very thin voice "you can buy the stamps animal sport you can eat the salad" very funny, hilarious!

[@dimmykarras9287]

Spassky wasn't mean when he described Karpov, indeed it was kind of a funny impression of the high-pitched voice, but it seemed no mockery, only the first strange impression which was mine, too, when I first heard Karpov speaking. Korchnoi, on the other hand, was harsh and personal. Regarding his hard times and the pressure he suffered after defecting from the USSR it is partly understandable (though Karpov had nothing to do with it), but hardly gentlemanlike. The "good pupil" beat him rather easily with "no creativity". 1978, there is a defendable excuse Karpov haters always make, but 1981 brought the same result. Karpov was and is great. His misfortune was coming after Fischer and being closely dethroned by Kasparov. Both were more interesting, stronger characters.

[@italnsd]

Karpov had nothing to do with it but it was for sure a beneficiary of it. It's hard to be gentlemanlike, or even play a world chess championship when your wife and son are kept in prison as a blackmailing form of pressure. I am not sure how that can be seen as "an excuse". Let's not forget that the Soviets were also very successful in preventing Korchnoi to take part in international tournaments by threatening their boycott in mass. Korchnoi's wife and son were finally released after the 1981 championship, which can suggest a reason for that one-sided result. So yeah, the good pupil with no creativity with the help of the KGB beat him. Without that help, on a level playing field, my bet is on Korchnoi in 1974 and 1978

[@jobsmine]

Fisher is the definition of the American Democracy and constitution.

[@Steve_K2]

Watch the documentary "Bobby Fischer Against the World" and see if you still think that.

[@pesfalcon]

Fisher was anti-american

[@Laney322]

​@@pesfalconagainst hegemonic imperialism and white supremacy before it was cool.

[@goblinman7]

Korchnoi rules, what a guy. RIP

[@adespade119]

All Great Champions.

[@alanclearyguitar]

A man standing behind you with a razor, now why would anyone develop a fear of barbers? :/

[@darwinudtuhan7933]

Chess masters says. In playing against Karpov. In the beginning" you don't feel threaten," then slight pressure appeared and it's getting bigger. And you will realized you are already lost🤕

[@RickTaylorpopnstart]

Spassky seems like a real gentleman.

[@tommonk7651]

An interesting read is "The KGB Plays Chess". It is amazing what lengths to which the Soviets would go to keep the championship. And Bobby was right; the Soviets did cheat.

[@bumpinugly4985]

Tom Monk Saw that title in the library. Was stolen before I had the chance to read!

[@SniperMonkeh]

15:37 Every clickbait chess video on youtube ever

[@AlexLoranger]

Truth lol

[@nelsonx5326]

I've never seen it. Also I don't know how it could be clickbait.

[@RocketKirchner]

Tal is my man . he would sacrifice anything to win and he did . i asked a bunch of Russian professors over here in the states who was the best of all time and they all said ''The American ''. Fischer of course .

[@monsignorjames]

Does anyone know the name of the song that starts playing at 5:23? (the Soviet chess section)

[@xekind]

The creators of this documentary had no idea just how long Kasparov would dominate.

[@countvlad8845]

Spasky he only had one pawn, Karpov had two but very small, Fisher had something similar, but Kasparov had no pawns at all.