Bobby : The American Class Act (Part 3)

It goes without saying that Fischer had an incredible career for an autodidact and a solitary person.
He quickly understood that he needed to leave the American continent not only to improve his game but also to understand his opponents better.

During the 60s, Bobby “the traveller” met many key figures. In Yugoslavia, he was popular and has kept many friends. The chess-cowboy is also admired by soviet players.

Chess in France, in England, in the United States and a little everywhere on the planet wouldn’t be what it is without Bobby.

Here you go, this article is not written to talk about the current news concerning Fischer. The chess community has already risen to his defence. It has succeeded to free him. Fischer is now an Icelandic citizen and our ambassador of the beautiful game.

Bobby is free; long may he stay that way…

(translated by miss AW)

Back in New York

Bobby : The American Class Act (Part 2)

The key dates

-1943: Robert James Fischer was born
-1957-1958: Winner of the American championships in New York (a title which he will win more than once)
-1958: Portoroz (Yougoslavia) Fischer made his mark by finishing 5th-6th in a tournament of candidates for the world title
Belgrade (Yugoslavia) 4 game match against Matulovic, Fischer won 2.5 - 1.5
-1960: Mar del Plata (Argentina) 1st place
Reykjavik (Island) 1st place
-1962: Stockholm (Sweden) Fischer won the interzonal (qualifying tournament for the world championships)
Curacao 4th place in a tournament of candidates for the world title which was a good result for the young Bobby
-1965: Havana (Cuba) Fischer shared 2nd place with two other players
-1967: Monaco 1st place
Skopje (Yugoslavia) 1st place
Once again, Fischer abandoned the world cycle. This time he was very displeased with the qualifying system which favoured the soviets
-1968: Israel 1st place
Yugoslavia 1st place

Afterwards, he decided to play in the world championships; doing so in spectacular fashion. In the first match, he beat Taimonov 6 - 0 then Larsen 6 – 0. A formidable score against two very respected players.
The American giant now needed to beat the ex world champion Tigran Petrossian in order to play the title holder Boris Spassky.
Fischer managed to overcome each hurdle one by one. In 1972, he became world champion by beating Spassky in Reykjavik. The chess world, completely in awe, began to worship their new King.

Later, Fischer returned to New York………he decided to stop playing chess.

Bobby in Reykjavik

Bobby : The American Class Act

Recently, the media has been focusing its attention to Bobby Fischer, a man regarded by many as a chess genius. Unfortunately, stories concerning his arrest in Japan and his hatred for the American government have been grabbing the headlines instead of his great chess ability. For this reason, it is important to remind ourselves why Bobby Fischer became such a legend in the chess world.