The Man and His Work (on Bobby Fischer)

I do not think that anyone would today deny that Bobby Fischer was one of the greatest chess players of all time, or at least of the 20th century. His games against Donald Byrne, Robert Byrne and others are masterpieces that are a joy to play over and over again. Yet I don't think anyone would deny that Fischer is also a hate-mongering, paranoid lunatic (anyone with doubts should see this essay, registration required). His anti-semitic rantings are even more repulsive given the fact that he himself is a Jew. So what is one to do about this clear difference between Bobby Fischer, chess genius, and Bobby Fischer, lunatic? Do we ignore Fischer the man to enjoy Fischer the chessplayer? Or maybe he should be ignored, removed from the pantheon for his actions? A few years ago, a similar argument took place regarding Richard Wagner. The composer Daniel Berenboim wanted to play Wagner in Israel, despite the man's virulently anti-semitic background and the protests of Holocaust survivors, who had to hear him play in the German camps. The argument was heated as those opposed pointed to both Wagner the man and the feelings of the Holocaust survivors. Thosewho were in favor argued that the artist must be seperated from his art, and that Wagner's music could and should be seperated from Wagner the man. Sometimes peole tried to poo-poo Wagner's anti-semitism, so desperate were they to justify themselves in hearing Wagner. I remember how an op-ed appeared in Ha'Aretz (where else would such a piece appear?) tried as hard as possible to whitewash Wagner and play down his hate-filled past. This was a clear attempt to enable himself and others to hear his music with a "clear conscience". I will make no such pretense. I know and acknowledge that Fischer is a scumbag and a despicable bastard (so was Wagner). Still, does this mean I can't enjoy his games? Where does one draw the line? Can the artist truly be seperated from his art?