In the west, at least, Bobby Fischer went down what some might consider a pretty dark path. Fugitive status from the US for violating cold war sanctions, choice words about 9/11, and remaining on the run from the US for the rest of his life in Iceland.
That said, I grew up as a chess nerd and although I knew vaguely that Bobby Fischer was a tragic figure (largely thanks to "In Search of Bobby Fischer", despite the movie having almost nothing to do with the titular character), I'd never heard of that association with chess in general.
> Fugitive status from the US for violating cold war sanctions
All in all, I think that was a pretty silly charge. His violation was wanting to play chess in Yugoslavia. The only tragedy there is US foreign policy, not some "crime" that he committed.
That said, I grew up as a chess nerd and although I knew vaguely that Bobby Fischer was a tragic figure (largely thanks to "In Search of Bobby Fischer", despite the movie having almost nothing to do with the titular character), I'd never heard of that association with chess in general.