Chess University Weekly Digest #53

Boris Spassky Passes Away

Author

Kairav Joshi
March 16, 2025

Tribute To Boris Spassky | Puzzle Challenge | Chess News

After a brief hiatus, we’re back with your next Puzzle Challenge and key updates from the chess world.

But first, we pause to honor a legend. Boris Spassky (1937–2025), the 10th World Chess Champion, has passed away at the age of 88. Known for his universal playing style and iconic 1972 World Championship match against Fischer, Spassky left an unforgettable mark on chess history.

Let’s dive in.

🧩 Puzzle Challenge #50 - Can You Find White’s Best Move?

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♟️ Tribute To Boris Spassky (1937–2025)

Chess legend Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion, has passed away at age 88. A true universal player, Spassky’s dynamic style allowed him to thrive in both positional and tactical battles. Best known for his 1972 World Championship match against Bobby Fischer, Spassky’s sportsmanship and contributions to the game made him one of the most respected champions in history. His games remain an inspiration to players worldwide.

🔗 Read the full tribute here: Chess.com’s article on Boris Spassky

🎥 Spassky’s Chess in James Bond

One of Spassky’s most brilliant attacking games—his 1960 King’s Gambit win against David Bronstein—was so iconic that it was featured in the James Bond movie From Russia with Love (1963). In the film, Spectre’s chess-playing villain Kronsteen uses a real position from this game to showcase his strategic genius. See the game below:

Boris Spassky vs. David Bronstein

📰 Chess News

🏆 Caruana Clinches Victory in St. Louis! GM Fabiano Caruana dominated at the Champions Showdown: The Kings, securing another title in his growing collection.

♟️ Prodigy Program Update: Chess University is preparing to bring back the its flagship offering, the Prodigy Program, potentially as early as 2026. We have taken the next steps required to bring back the program and will share more as soon as we can!

📅 April Class Schedule Coming Soon! March live classes have wrapped up—next month’s schedule drops soon.

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Opening Tactics For 1.e4 Players

🔥 Want to dominate with 1.e4? Master opening tactics and seize early advantages in your games. Don’t miss this course by FM Dalton Perrine:

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That’s a wrap! We hope you enjoyed this edition. We’ll be back next week with our April class schedule.

Kairav Joshi
President and CEO
ChessUniversity.com

Special thanks to Morning Brew for sponsoring this edition:

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