The Chess Mind

I don't think he changed either, but the article, or at least the facts in the article, don't suggest that he did. He had a strong reputation of loyalty to his friends, as long as they didn't betray his confidences to others (especially in the media, chess or otherwise). No argument about his betraying his nation, though I'm not sure what you mean about him betraying his race. (The human race?)

Anyway, there's no disputing that there was much that was morally wrong in Fischer, and it would be wrong to excuse the many vile statements he uttered on the grounds that he liked to quietly read books in the library. That would be repellent, just as you say. But to note that he wasn't the sheer embodiment of evil is OK, too, no?

Dennis, are there anecdotes to support Fischer's "strong reputation of loyalty to his friends"? Cases where he stuck with them when it cost him something to do so, perhaps? Or friends he stayed true to for a long time?

The article quotes prominently and with approval the judgment of one man who spoke with Fischer in recent months (being careful, apparently, not to quiz him): “I think he was an extremely sensitive and rather tender man on the inside. He was deeply interested in all kinds of humanistic affairs and searching for understanding." In light of (e.g.) the vile anti-semitic rants, a skeptical note would have been in order here.