Books by Fischer

谢谢

Indeed, so much wasted potential. Although he never appeared to be what you'd call a "natural" writer, he could have just repeated his collaborative work pattern with Larry Evans (M60MG) for a book on the 1972 match right after it happened and made a ton of money through sheer name recognition. Unfortunately, in 1972 he was already displaying the "Nobody is going to make a nickel off of me!" attitude that pretty much kills most business negotiations.

In the HBO documentary there's a segment from 1972 where Fischer's interviewed by a reporter just having won the world championship. Asked about his plans, he says he wants to play more chess, that he doesn't feel like he's played enough chess. What happened to that plan?

The documentary also has a Karpov (retrospective) assessment that the 1975 forfeiture was at least in part due to Fischer's fear of losing, that once you're reached to top of your field there's nowhere to go but down. Back in the 1970s I would have dismissed that claim as too flattering to Karpov's ego, but in retrospect I think there's a lot of truth to it. In Fischer's rise to the championship he just humiliated his opponents in the candidate's matches -- how do you top a performance like that?

disagree with others who downplay fischer's writing.  he was clear and concise - of course, sometimes hard to understand for the average player, but that's only due to the complexity of his play, NOT his writing. when I was a kid, he wrote a column for a boy scout? plublication - I forget the name of it... it was readable, as I recall, pretty simple, but clear. I think the reason fischer never wrote again was because a) he was a paranoid phreak b) i'm SURE he could NEVER agree on the monetary fee.... he just seemed to be that way.......

At sixteen years old, Fischer also published "Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess."  It consisted of 34 games -- 13 from his first US Championship win, 20 from the Portoroz Interzonal and "The Game of the Century" vs Donald Byrne.  Published in 1959, the original is a collector's item.

http://www.biblio.com/book/bobby-fischers-games-chess-fischer-bobby/d/863975233?aid=frg&utm_source=google&utm_medium=product&utm_campaign=feed-details&gclid=CjwKEAjw6e_IBRDvorfv2Ku79jMSJAAuiv9YySVomXaZHbDgCvNRZbWujDntNIGWhaUj2c5ks0y3xBoCdpLw_wcB

Currently being sold under the title, Checkmate.

https://www.newinchess.com/Shop/Images/Pdfs/3708.pdf

My 60 Memorable Games took forever to get publsihed, because of Fischer's habits of not wanting to let it go as well as post-contract negotiations with the publisher, Simon and Shuster.  As a kid, I remember waiting and waiting and waiting.  Upon publication it immediately became the #1 best seller in the USCF membership, but the total number of USCF members in 1969 was just at 10,000.

Although not the most instructive game collection for under 1800 players, it was/is a riveting read even for beginners.  Fischer holds nothing  back in his game dialogue.  You are struck by his intensity, his will to win and by his drive to find the best, clearest way in every game.  Fischer is openly critical, even derisive of his opponents and of himself,, at times.

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, My 60 Memorable Games and Sherwin's Spassky vs Fischer book were the first 3 chess books I had as a kid. I'd like to think I learned a lot from them. Maybe it's time to read over 60 games again

Over the past 45 years, My 60 Memorable Games is my "go-to" chess book, when I am returning to chess play/study after a year or two away from the game.  I usually start by going over the three games vs Tal -- a loss to Tal in 1959, after Fischer blows an early advantage, a draw in 1960, where Tal escapes, and finally a win in 1961, where Fischer exclaims, "Finally he has not escaped me!"  The games, themselves, are wonderful, but even better are Fischer's open, undedited expression of his emotions and how they both helped and hurt his play.

That trio of games says so much about the attraction of chess competition.

Also from My 60 Memorable Games is the thrilling account of Fischer's game with Botvinnik at the 1962 Varna Olympiad.  After his debacle at the Curacao Candidates' Tournament the previous summer, Fischer wanted to show the world he was "the best" by beating the reigning world Champion.  Playing the Grunfeld, as Black, Fischer falls into Botvinnik's prepared variation, but Fischer refutes the idea over the board and gains a winning advantage.  But Fischer misses the best continuation just before adjournment, and over night, the Soviet GMs, including Efim Geller, finds a miraculous save for Botvinnik.  Fischer maintains he still had winning chances but, as he laments, "I played right into his hands!"

Over the next two years(1962-1964), this game was analyzed extensively by both Fischer and Soviets alike, with improvements and counter-improvements offered.  Much of Botvinnik's analysis and comments are included in the 14 pages of analysis.  Again, the moves in the game may be forgotten, but I will always remember the account of the struggle.

A used book store in the '90's had 5 copies of Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess for $1 each and I bought them all for the library of the high school chess club I ran.

As for My 60 Memorable Games, hearing Bobby talk in the 60's and 70's it's clear he wasn't well educated and Larry Evans basically put his prose in a more readable and interesting style. The fact that there are no childish insults directed at Fischer's opponents shows he didn't write anything except specific game-move comments.

I remember the story about the Botvinnik-Fischer game. Uncle_Bent. Entertaining game and even more entertaining analysis by both sides. You got a hell of a deal, Mickin!