ABack to the Untold Story of Bobby Fischer Index
Observations of Mikhail Botvinnik, describing Autism Spectrum:
The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Canada Thursday, January 09, 1969:
Former world champion, Mikhail Botvinnik, who at 57 is still capable of trouncing most of the younger grandmasters, is a keen commentator of the current crop. Here is his updated view of Robert Fischer, published in "Chess" Magazine:
“At 25 Fischer is now the sort of legendary figure that Tal once was. You have to agree that he is outstandingly talented. He analyzes superbly, plays most energetically, has a fine competitive temperament and great resourcefulness. He can both hold out in defence and attack hard. His nerves respond to any demands on them.
“A general appraisal of his games gives the impression of a typical Soviet grandmaster in his style of play. We should be pleased to have such a player on our team.
“But there is another Fischer. Apart from his outstanding chess talent there is the question of his general intellectual development. This is probably on about the level of a 14 or 15-year-old child.
“His character is unstable. He is too easily provoked. You could say he is naive and does not really understand life. He makes hasty decisions which at times harm both himself and chess. It is all very sad. His absence from the Candidates' matches certainly reduced interest in them.“
As an adult, I connected ONE other human who is known to have endured the same inexplicable Post-Cult Trauma fate back in 1990's: Bobby Fischer, the chess player. Three innocent people were murdered, so my journey post-Armstrong cult was documented like Bobby Fischer's. But, there are other victims out there who have not came forward. Most likely out of intimidation and fear… or total lack of understanding what happened to them.
Especially Bobby. Like myself, he is believed by most people who are knowledgeable about “ASD” (Autism Spectrum Disorders) or as it is still called by some “Asperger's Syndrome”. Bobby Fischer notably exhibited all major symptoms of ASD. One of the conditions includes a serious cognitive vulnerability in social skills. Bobby tended to be on the side of credulity off the chessboard, when interacting with people. He was often taken advantage of (as was the case between Bobby Fischer and the cult leader, Herbert W. Armstrong) which Bobby complained in 1977:
More on the numerous anecdotal examples of Bobby Fischer being on the Autism Spectrum or as it's often called, generally for High-Functioning Autism, “Asperger's Syndrome”…
A common symptom with Autism Spectrum is Anxiety. This article on Mayoclinic explains why Bobby's attention would be intensely piqued to “Doomsday Scenerios” in Armstrong's cult… as well as government propaganda that alluded to possible Soviet Poisoning. Naturally when Bobby learned about "Judeo Bolshevik World Conspiracy" Myth in 1973 and Zionism, he pointed that same intense focus on it as a threat to societal peace, as well.
“…Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.
Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment.”
Mayoclinic: Anxiety Disorders
I live with high anxiety, daily, so I understand how uncomfortable Bobby was in public.
Robert Fischer Still Inspires New Generations“…When higher-functioning individuals with autism are stressed, they become highly anxious and at times [mistakenly] may appear thought-disordered and paranoid…”
psychiatrictimes.com: Autism Misdiagnosed and Confused with “Paranoia”
“For me Bobby Fischer is the greatest chess player and right since I was a kid I have been a big fan. I have not only tried to study what has been written about his chess but also about his personality. But there was always a void when information was presented to the public as though the chess hero has turned into a villain. When I came across your blog, all the dots were connected and I got to know the true picture of my hero. I would whole heartedly recommend reading your work who wants to know the truth and doesn't mind spending time for it.”
(10/4/2017) “Thanks for sharing all of this. I have heard a few of these things about the cult before but nothing as detailed as you describe and have relayed to me. I have always assumed that Fischer were in the Autism spectrum, Aspergers sounds like a reasonable diagnosis, based on anecdotal evidence.
