Robert Fischer

Biography (1943–2008)

The youngest-ever participant of the Candidates Tournament, Robert James Fischer (1943-2008), made history by single-handedly disrupting Soviet dominance in chess. Bobby Fischer made his debut in the Candidates in 1959 at the age of 16, but he was not mature enough to compete with the top Soviet Grandmasters. After winning the Interzonal in Stockholm three years later, Fischer entered the Candidates in Curacao (1962) as one of the favorites, but he finished only fourth.Fischer voluntarily missed two championship cycles only to return stronger, winning the Interzonal in Palma de Mallorca in 1970. After pummeling Taimanov (6-0), Larsen (6-0), and Petrosian (6½-2½), he earned the right to play a title match with the reigning champion Boris Spassky in Reykjavik in 1972. Fischer won by a score of 12½–8½ and became the 11th World Champion. He was expected to defend his title in 1975 against Karpov but refused and lost by default.From 1973 to 1991, Fischer did not play in official chess competitions. He agreed to play a match against Spassky in 1992, claiming he was still the World Champion. Fischer won 10–5 and then retired from chess.

Notable game

This game was played at the US Chess Championship in New York in 1963, which Fischer won with 11 wins out of 11 games!

Play like a champion!

Black to move.

Examine this position and decide on your next move. To see the correct answer, click the button below.

Want chess advice?

# 1 / 6

I don't believe in psychology. I believe in good moves.

1. e4 is the best, by test!

The turning point in my career came with the realization that Black should play to win instead of just steering for equality.

A strong memory, concentration, imagination, and willpower are required to become a great chess player.

Blitz chess kills your ideas.

You are never too old to play chess!

On Fischer

When you play Bobby, it's not a question of winning or losing. It's a question of survival.

His path to the World Championship title was impressive. Achieving a 6:0 victory against Taimanov and Larsen—two of the strongest grandmasters of the 1970s—was a fantastic result. This was followed by his confident victory over Spassky.

In his play, Fischer was amazingly objective, long before computers stripped away so many of the dogmas and assumptions humans used to navigate the game for centuries.

There was a feeling that this person was destined to become the world champion, and nothing could stop him.

What I admired most about Bobby Fischer was his ability to make what was so difficult look easy to us. I try to emulate him.