Karpov was a challenge but probably not quite ready for Fischer. Korchnoi should have beaten Karpov if he hadn't, unbelievably, chose to play a Pirc in the deciding game in their first match. Not a good choice against Mr Solid.

It's true Fischer demanded too much, but other champions have in the past-all those Botvinnik rematches for the World Championship. Fischer was wary of Soviet collusion (players would intentionally draw against each other) and the power they used to manipulate FIDE.