Book: Bobby Fischer goes to war
Author: David Edmonds and John Eidinow
Price: (Faber, ?14.99)
Even while it was occurring, it was obviously a legendary event – easily the most extraordinary chess match of all time. World championship matches are rarely of much interest outside the fraternity of serious chess players; indeed, it is unlikely most people are even aware when a championship match is in progress. But the 1972 world championship, in which American Bobby Fischer wrested the title from the USSR’s Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, was different. It was front page news around the world. Everyone, even people who couldn’t tell a knight fork from a smothered mate, had an opinion about it.
Nevertheless, in the subsequent quarter century, much of the brouhaha surrounding this match has been shrouded in secrecy. Certainly, participants on the American side were reluctant to tell all they knew; American chess journalism has traditionally concealed the game’s dirty laundry, and in addition, many who were there were silenced by fear of Fischer’s wrath. Still, the Americans were positive blabbermouths compared to the Soviets, whose historic silence on questions great and trivial, on matters scientific, political, sporting, artistic and even meteorological, was notorious.
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