Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall - from America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness

NOTES

The sources for this book come from a variety of origins: interviews of and correspondence with chess players; friends and relatives of Bobby Fischer; chess periodicals and books; the general press; Bobby Fischer’s own writings; libraries and archives; and the author’s own memories, conversations, and observations of Bobby Fischer spread out over a lifetime.

Abbreviations

Bobby Fischer Autobiographical Essay—BFE

John W. Collins Archive—JWC

Marshall Chess Foundation Archive—MCF

New York Times—NYT

Chess Life—CL

Chess Review—CR

Chess Life & Review—CL&R

Frank Brady Archive—FB

New In Chess—NIC

Chess Base—CB

Profile of a Prodigy—PRO

KGB Reports—KGB

Author citations refer to books in the Bibliography.

Author’s Note

1 “A biography is considered complete” Clare Colquitt, Susan Goodman, Candace Waid. A Forward Glance: New Essays on Edith Wharton, Associated University Presses, Inc., 1999, p. 23.

2 “a whole world of feelings” Mack Frankfurter. Options: A Three Dimensional Chess, October 13, 2006. At safehaven.com. Accessed December 14, 2008.

Chapter 1: Loneliness to Passion

The sources for this chapter came, in some part, from a statement written in the third person by Bobby Fischer while he was incarcerated; examination of the FBI files on Regina Fischer; Bobby’s autobiographical essay written when he was a teenager; talks of the author with Bobby’s teachers, Carmine Nigro and Jack Collins, as well as Regina Fischer; observations of the author; and previously published accounts in books and periodicals.

1 “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.” Legal statement of facts written by Bobby Fischer, 6 pages, July 2004, orwelltoday.com/fischerroom202.shtml.

2 “as soon as he lands at JFK, we’ll nail him.” Recollection of author, who talked with State Department official, circa late 1990s.

3 The group’s destination was the Silver Moon Chinese restaurant. This incident occurred circa 1956. Discussion with Jack Collins, circa 1956; and reported in Newsday, September 28, 1992.

4 he’d just returned from the U.S. Open Championship in Oklahoma City CR, August 1956, p. 227.

5 at the first Moscow Medical Institute Discussion of Regina and Gerhardt Fischer in Moscow. Johnson, p. 125.

6 Regina Fischer had no long-term residence PRO, pp. 1–4.

7 One of Bobby’s first memories BFE, p. 1.

8 flung his pencil down in frustration and grabbed a brown crayon, but this time he paused MCF

9 Later, he became enamored of Japanese interlocking puzzles NYT, February 23, 1958, SMD 38.

10 In early 1949 Regina Fischer took the least expensive housing she could find FBI report, 8-24-53 (SAC, New York, 100-102290).

11 on a rainy day when Bobby had just turned six Parade, October 27, 1957, p. 22.

12 Neither Joan nor Bobby had ever seen a chess set before BFE, p. 1.

13 “Nobody we knew ever played chess” BFE, p. 1.

14 “At first it was just another game” BFE, p. 1.

15 “She was too busy to take the game seriously.” BFE, p. 2

16 “My mother has an anti-talent for chess” Life, February 21, 1964.

17 Instead, he sought to discover any trap or pitfall lurking in his “opponent’s” position Life, February 21, 1964.

18 Bobby, then seven years old, hated his new environs BFE, p. 1.

19 The tenants downstairs complained of the banging noise Letter from landlord to Regina Fischer, no date, MCF.

20 “Bobby could discuss concepts like infinity” Parade, October 27, 1957, p. 21.

21 He then named Siegbert Tarrasch, a German player Chessworld, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1964, p. 59.

22 “MOMMY I WANT TO COME HOME” Postcard, no date, MCF.

23 In the winter of 1950, when he was seven years old BFE, p. 1.

24 However, a distant relative of Bobby’s suggested Interview of Russell Targ by author, December 2008.

25 “my little chess miracle,” Letter from Regina Fischer to Herman Helms, Brooklyn, New York, Nov. 14, 1951.

26 “They did not interest me too much” BFE, p. 1.

27 One spectator at the exhibition that evening was Carmine Nigro BFE, p. 2.

Chapter 2: Childhood Obsession

Discussions with Carmine Nigro about Bobby Fischer supplied much of the material in this chapter, as well as correspondence with Dr. Harold Sussman and Dr. Ariel Mengarini. Several notes exchanged between Bobby Fischer and his mother were also helpful in outlining this period of his life; his autobiographical essay supplied information that filled in gaps of knowledge.

1 No one had the temerity to disagree Author’s conversation with Carmine Nigro, May 1955, Brooklyn, NY.

2 Even Emanuel Lasker Hannak, p. 17.

3 where Enrico Caruso and Geraldine Farrar had sung CR, December 1944.

4 After coaxing from Nigro Discussion with author, 1956.

5 “At first I used to lose all the time” BFE, p. 2.

6 Nigro would greatly increase his son’s allowance PRO, p. 7.

7 there are 72,084 positions after two moves each AnswerBag.com.

8 “Mr. Nigro was possibly not the best player in the world but he was a very good teacher.” BFE, p. 2.

9 “My mother was often on duty on weekends” BFE, p. 2.

10 Dr. Sussman was also an amateur photographer Letter from Dr. Sussman to author, circa 1972, FB.

11 one could tell by the inflection in his voice that he was affected by the experience Author’s conversation with Bobby Fischer, New York City, circa 1964.

12 Carmine Nigro was a professional musician, and taught music in a number of styles NYT, September 2, 2001, p. 27.

13 Soon Bobby was playing “Beer Barrel Polka” and other tunes Regina Fischer press release, circa 1956, MCF.

14 “I did fairly well on it for a while” BFE, p. 2.

15 He played at the Brooklyn Chess Club every Friday night BFE, p. 2.

16 Nigro would drive Bobby to Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village BFE, p. 2.

17 Nigro felt they wouldn’t tolerate Bobby’s sometimes languorous tempo Author’s conversation with Carmine Nigro, May 1955, Brooklyn, NY.

18 Bobby spent hours after school at the Grand Army Plaza library BFE, p. 3.

19 a photograph showing him studying appeared Brooklyn Public Library News Bulletin, July 1952.

20 Years later, when a chess collector finally took possession NIC, 2008, Issue 4, p. 6.

21 He even maintained his involvement with the game while bathing Conversation with Regina Fischer, circa 1958.

22 “Bobby virtually inhaled chess literature” Author’s interview of Allen Kaufman, New York, March 16, 2009.

23 he was taught songs by rote for Hanukkah and Purim, in both English and Yiddish, a language he didn’t know Undated papers from Brooklyn Jewish Children’s School, MCF.

24 And in the restroom he may have seen that his penis was different from the rest: He wasn’t circumcised Fischer’s open letter to Judaica Encyclopedia, 1984.

25 and he later claimed that he’d received no training in Judaic customs or theology Fischer’s open letter to Judaica Encyclopedia, 1984.

26 Bobby could concentrate on puzzles or chess for hours Article in Parade, October 27, 1957, p. 21.

27 By the time he reached the fourth grade, he’d been in and out of six schools Ibid.

28 In frustration, Regina registered Bobby in a school for gifted children Ibid.

29 In the fall of 1952, when Bobby was nine, Regina secured scholarship enrollment for him in Brooklyn Community Woodward Architecture 101: 321, “Clinton Avenue, The Architecture of Brooklyn.”

30 The school’s philosophy of education was based on the principles of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi BFE, p. 9.

31 To learn early American history, for example Brooklyn Eagle, January 31, 1943.

32 “If he’d been born next to a swimming pool he would have been a swimming champion” Schonberg. NYT, February 23, 1958; P. SM 38.

33 “Dear Bobby—Finish off the soup and rice” Regina Fischer notebook, MCF.

34 that potential friend would have had to not only know how to play chess but Associated Press wire story, October 12, 1958.

35 He was happy when the glare of the winter light ceased Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, circa September 1958, MCF.

36 A young math student replied—he even knew how to play chess Postcard, September 24, 1951, MCF.

37 And off he’d go to his chessboard, without his mother’s permission Author’s conversation with Regina Fischer, December 1960, New York.

38 One of Bobby’s few non-chess interests emerged unexpectedly during his eighth year in the summer of 1951 BFE, p. 1.

39 Bobby would train to take various Red Cross swimming tests American Red Cross Swimming Cards, various dates, MCF.

40 Regina insisted that he have a psychological evaluation Author’s conversation with Regina Fischer, December 1960, New York.

41 “I just go for it.” Author’s conversation with Bobby Fischer, January 1964, New York.

42 “I told her that I could think of a lot worse things than chess that a person could devote himself to” Letter from Dr. Ariel Mengarini to author, March 31, 1963, New York.

43 “I’d already gone through most of the books in the public library” BFE, p. 3.

44 the money was spent on chocolate milk for lunch and a candy bar after school Regina Fischer notebook, MCF.

45 he expected to be called in front of Senator McCarthy’s House Un-American Activities Committee hearings Author’s conversation with Harold M. Phillips, New York City, June 1960.

46 When Mikhail Botvinnik, who became World Chess Champion, arrived at the Bolshoi Opera House Alexander Kotov, “Why the Russians?” Chessworld, 1964, No. 2.

47 One Soviet tournament registered more than seven hundred thousand players Ibid.

48 “They are out to win for the greater glory of the Soviet Union” NYT, June 13, 1954, p. SM19.

49 He dutifully took his seat in the auditorium, as though he were at the Academy Awards of chess PRO, p. 9.

50 David Bronstein asked for a glass of lemon juice NYT, June 25, 1954, p. 23.

51 there was the Soviets’ recent routing of the Argentine team in Buenos Aires and the French team in Paris NYT, June 13, 1954, p. S4.

52 Nigro noted with proud amusement that his protégé was watching carefully Author’s conversation with Carmine Nigro, May 1955, Brooklyn, NY.

53 Dr. Fine wasn’t playing for the United States CR, July 1954, p. 199.

54 the man Bobby had played in a simultaneous exhibition three years previously Ibid.

55 “He seemed to be a nice kid, somewhat shy” Interview of Allen Kaufman by author, March 16, 2009.

56 “Chess spectators are like Dodger fans with laryngitis” NYT, June 23, 1954, p. 27.

57 “No matter how talented by natural heritage, the amateur lacks that sometimes brutal precision” CL, July 5, 1954, p. 4.

58 The following year, in July 1955 NYT, July 7, 1955, p. 33.

59 There Khrushchev issued a policy statement NYT, July 5, 1955, p. 1.

60 “Mr. Nigro introduced me around and when I got better it was easier to get a game.” BFE, p. 2.

61 Kibitzers, always free with mostly unwanted advice BFE, p. 5.

62 “Mr. Nigro, when is the food coming?” Author’s conversation with Carmine Nigro, May 1956, New York.

63 So involved was Bobby in his games NYT, June 20, 1955, p. 42.

64 Bobby was highly indignant PRO, p. 10.

65 “We were glad when it was over” BFE, p. 5.

66 He finished fifteenth, and was awarded a ballpoint pen NYT, October 3, 1955, p. 27.

67 A few weeks later, however, while walking with his mother BFE, p. 5.

68 The New York Times ran a small story about the results NYT, October 3, 1955, p. 27.

69 “My grandfather had shown little interest in [me] and knew nothing about chess.” BFE, p. 5.

Chapter 3: Out of the Head of Zeus

Regina Fischer’s diary entries about Bobby’s trip to Cuba offered illuminating anecdotes about his interactions with his teammates. Interviews of players such as James T. Sherwin, Allen Kaufman, and Anthony Saidy, and extracts from Bobby’s autobiographical essay, also elucidate aspects of his life at this time.

1 “We were looking for [a way] to get out of the heat …” BFE, p. 4.

2 “I was so impressed by his play that I introduced the 12-year old to Maurice Kasper, the president of the club” Letter from Walter Shipman, March 31, 2009, FB.

3 “perhaps half of all of the greatest players of the past hundred years have been Jews” Saidy and Lessing, p. 179.

4 “I adored playing with Bobby” Interview of Dr. Stuart Margulies by the author, February 19, 2009.

5 Nevertheless, the boy was impressed at being in the presence of a champion Note by Bobby Fischer, undated, circa September 1955, FB.

6 Eighty-year-old Harold M. Phillips, a master and member of the board, wistfully likened Bobby’s style of play Author’s conversation with Harold M. Phillips, circa 1964, New York.

7 “You can’t win every game. Just do your best every time.” BFE, p. 5.

8 “He would just get real quiet, twist that dog tag even more and immediately set up the pieces to play again.” Mike Franett, “The Man Who Knew Bobby Fischer,” Chess, September 2001, pp. 8–10.

9 Regina called Bobby every day at an arranged time to see if he was all right Press release, undated, circa March 1956, MCF.

10 “It gave me a big thrill” BFE, p. 4.

11 One player, William Schneider, said he was embarrassed when he and Laucks—sporting his swastika Interview of William Schneider by the author, circa 2005, New York.

12 Bobby gave a twelve-board simultaneous exhibition against members of the club and won ten and drew two BFE, p. 8.

13 “The Cubans seem to take chess more seriously” BFE, p. 5.

14 The New York Times took notice of the Log Cabin tour NYT, March 5, 1956. p. 36.

15 the unstructured routine enabled him BFE, p. 5.

16 he disliked “any kind of formality and ceremony.” BFE, p. 5.

17 “Bobby Fischer rang my doorbell one afternoon” Collins, pp. 34–35.

18 The short, stunted man confined to a wheelchair and the growing boy went to movies Peter Marks, “The Man Who Was Fischer’s Chess Mentor,” Newsday, September 28, 1992, p. 39.

19 Bobby said that he always felt Nigro was more of a friend than a teacher BFE, p. 2.

20 With pupils, he’d often just set up a position and say, “Let’s look at this” Interview of Allen Kaufman by author, March 16, 2009.

21 “I think Jack helped Bobby psychologically, with chess fightingness” Interview of James T. Sherwin by author, February 29, 2009.

22 “geniuses like Beethoven, Leonardo da Vinci” Collins, pp. 48–49.

23 She persuaded Maurice Kasper of the Manhattan Chess Club to give her $125 toward Bobby’s expenses Letter from Regina Fischer to Maurice Kasper, June 24, 1956, MCF.

24 Bobby played a twenty-one-game simultaneous exhibition International Photo, undated, FB.

25 Some of America’s youngest but strongest stars had ventured north of the border Interview of James Sherwin by author, February 27, 2009, by telephone.

26 “I knew I should have won!” From “Let’s Play Chess,” by William Oaker; clipping from unidentified newspaper, January 18, 1958. FB.

27 Freud held that dream content Freud, pp. 350–51.

28 “I had no idea that I was talking to a future world’s champion” Interview of Larry Evans by author, January 2010, by telephone.

29 “I’ll stop coming” Author’s conversation with Regina Fischer, circa 1958, New York.

30 “Industry!” Regina yelled at Bobby Conversation between author and Regina Fischer, circa 1956, New York.

31 Bobby’s remembrance of Streisand? “There was this mousey little girl” Andersen, p. 41.

32 Indeed, he’d already begun making frequent visits to the Marshall Recollection of author.

33 It was at this club that Cuba’s brilliant José Raúl Capablanca gave his last exhibition Archives of the Marshall Chess Club, MCF.

34 Bobby’s habitual mufti of T-shirt, wrinkled pants, and sneakers was considered an outrage by Caroline Marshall Author’s conversation with Caroline Marshall, May 1964.

35 Dark-haired, elegant in speech and dress, the twenty-five-year-old Byrne invariably held a cigarette between two fingers Observation of author, and Golombek, Golombek’s Encyclopedia, p. 52.

36 “The onlookers were invited to sit right next to you” BFE, p. 3.

37 Then, suddenly, he moved his knight to a square where it could be snapped off CL, December 1956, p. 374.

28 “It was extraordinary: The game and Bobby’s youth were an unbeatable combination.” Interview of Allen Kaufman by author, March 16, 2009.

39 As the game progressed, Bobby had only twenty minutes remaining on his clock to make the required forty moves CR, December 1956, p. 374.

40 He wasn’t absolutely certain he could see the full consequences of allowing Byrne to take his queen Fischer, My 60 Memorable Games, p. 65.

41 “Impossible! Byrne is losing to a 13-year-old nobody.” Hammond Times, February 24, 1957, p. 15.

42 Yet, other than the rapidity with which he was responding to Byrne’s moves, Bobby showed little emotion NYT, October 18, 1956, p. 44.

43 “Bobby Fischer’s [performance] sparkles with stupendous originality.” CR, December 1956, p. 374.

44 Bobby’s game appeared in newspapers throughout the country and chess magazines around the world Kasparov, p. 213.

45 The British magazine Chess relaxed its stiff upper lip, calling Bobby’s effort a game of “great depth and brilliancy” Chess, November 9, 1956.

46 Chess Life proclaimed Bobby’s victory nothing short of “fantastic” CL, November 5, 1956, p. 3.

47 “I just made the moves I thought were best.” AP wire story, February 24, 1957.

48 David Lawson, a seventy-year-old American whose accent betrayed his Scottish birth NYT, December 28, 2008.

49 Lawson’s preference for dinner was Luchow’s Author’s conversation with David Lawson, December 1963, New York.

50 “Many people imagine that the chess club …” BFE, p. 12.

51 “The King stands for the boy’s penis” Reuben Fine, The Psychology of the Chess Player (New York: Dover Books, 1956), p. 12.

52 “You’ve tricked me” Fine, Bobby Fischer’s Conquest of the World’s Chess Championship, pp. 24–25.

53 “it becomes one of the ironic twists of history” Ibid.

54 “Ask me something unusual” NYT, February 23, 1958, p. SM 38.

55 “I went to the phone booth and called my mother …” BFE, p. 12.

56 “it was the title that really mattered” BFE, p. 13.

57 “it was, of course, ridiculous for us to consider,” BFE, p. 13.

58 “Bobby Fischer should finish slightly over the center mark” CR, January 1958, p. 12.

59 “Reshevsky’s busted.” NYT, February 23, 1958, p. SM 38.

Chapter 4: The American Wunderkind

Letters to Bobby’s teacher, Jack Collins, and to his mother, about his visit to Moscow, followed by his entry into the Interzonal, Portorož 1958, illuminated how he felt about his first international tournament. The FBI files on Regina Fischer and the KGB files as paraphrased in the book Russians Versus Fischer also added further evaluative information.

1 hoping to supply information to the House Un-American Activities Committee Letter to FBI under FOI Act, sent July 24, 2009.

2 To others he proclaimed Shakhmatny Bulletin “the best chess magazine in the world” Johnson, p. 131.

3 Bobby made a mental note of which openings being played around the world won more games than others Fischer, My 60 Memorable Games, p. 18.

4 At the Four Continents, Bobby bought a hardcover Russian-language copy of The Soviet School of Chess for $2. Kotov and Yudovich, p. 8.

5 When Bobby was 14, he gave an interview to a visiting Russian journalist CR, January 1959, p. 8.

6 “I watch what your grandmasters do.” CR, January 1959, p. 8.

7 Bobby pored over Buschke’s holdings for hours, looking for that one book PRO, p. 11.

8 When Bobby won the U.S. Championship, Buschke gave him a $100 gift certificate PRO, p. 27.

9 Her oft-quoted statement that she’d tried everything Johnson, p. 127.

10 She also compiled the addresses and telephone numbers Copies of various address books of Regina Fischer. MCF.

11 I. A. Horowitz, the editor of Chess Review, claimed that she was a “pain in the neck” Author’s conversation with I. A. Horowitz, July 1972, New York.

12 “I hope Bobby will become a great chess champion” Letter from Regina Fischer to Maurice Kasper, October 1, 1957, MCF.

13 “Keep it up but don’t wear yourself down at it. Swim, nap.” Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, August 8, 1958, MCF.

14 The $64,000 Question was so popular that even President Eisenhower watched it every week Metz, Robert, CBS: Reflections in a Bloodshot Eye (New York: NAL, 1976), p. 78.

15 “It made interesting conversation while it lasted, anyway.” Bobby reflecting on The $64,000 Question in an essay he wrote, circa 1958, MCF.

16 “I’m not afraid of anything,” Regina answered, “and I have nothing to hide.” FBI file, p. 139.

17 Consequently, there was a sweeping investigation taking place of her activities, past and present FBI file.

18 The confidential FBI report on Regina FBI.

19 Undercover agents rifled through Joan Fischer’s records at Brooklyn College FBI.

20 “My mother,” said Joan Fischer, “is a professional protester.” Joan Fischer, undated and unsourced clipping, FB.

21 Regina had been “kicked out” of the Communist Party FBI report to the director from SAC, NY100-102290, August 24, 1953, p. 1.

22 She sent a letter directly to Premier Nikita Khrushchev Johnson, p. 128.

23 Agents and informers continued to spy on the Fischers FBI report to the director from SAC, NY100-102290, August 24, 1953, p. 2.

24 As it developed, Bobby was never questioned, but the fear had been implanted Preliminary interview of Bobby Fischer for the film My Friend Bobby. Interview is in “Chapters from the Film,” outtakes not used in the final release copy. Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009.

25 The agent remained throughout the broadcast but did not reveal his true identity FBI report to the director from SAC, NY100-102290, May 23, 1958, p. 1.

26 he tripped with youthful awkwardness on the microphone wire while making his exit from the stage I’ve Got a Secret footage, CBS, March 26, 1958.

27 “If I have to wear a tie, I won’t go,” New York World-Telegram and Sun, June 12, 1958.

28 “The eighth wonder of the world,” Bobby wrote to Jack Collins Postcard from Bobby Fischer to Jack Collins, June 21, 1958, JWC.

29 Nevertheless, he played some seven-minute games Postcard, circa 1958, JWC.

30 Before boarding the plane to Russia, Bobby plugged cotton into his ears Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, June 18, 1958, MCF.

31 Moscow’s finest hotel, the National. Background promotional material from the Hotel National, circa 2009.

32 “Call me,” she wrote to Bobby. “It’s on the house.” He didn’t. Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, June 30, 1958, MCF.

33 His mission was to play as many masters as possible Letter to Parkhito from Regina Fischer, June 2, 1958, MCF.

34 Everyone wanted to see the American wunderkind Interview of Lev Khariton by author, April 17, 2009, New York.

35 Finally, Tigran Petrosian was, on a semi-official basis, summoned to the club Golombek, Golombek’s Encyclopedia, pp. 236–37.

36 “None. You are our guest,” Abramov frostily replied, “and we don’t pay fees to guests.” Abramov to Fischer, in Johnson, p. 128.

37 Many years later, Bobby indicated that Author’s conversation with Bobby Fischer, circa 1964, New York.

38 When the Soviet Union had agreed to invite Bobby to Moscow Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, circa June 1958, MCF.

39 He likened himself to his hero Paul Morphy Chessworld, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1964, pp. 40–46.

40 he was fed up “with these Russian pigs” Johnson, p. 128.

41 “I don’t like Russian hospitality and the people themselves. It seems they don’t like me either.” Postcard from Bobby Fischer to Jack Collins, July 1958, JWC.

42 In mid-July, one hundred thousand irate Soviet citizens NYT, July 19, 1958, p. 1.

43 The situation was serious enough that Gerhardt Fischer, Bobby’s father of record, feared Joan and Bobby might be in great danger Letter from Gerhardt Fischer to Regina Fischer, August 4, 1958, MCF.

44 The only times he left the hotel were to play the two matches Mednis, p. 3.

45 Top players in the United States predicted that Bobby wouldn’t qualify for a place in the Candidates this time CR, October 1958, p. 315.

46 Bobby, though, seemed to feel that he’d make short work of his competitors Plisetsky and Voronkov, p. 15.

47 Lombardy had captured the World Junior Championship by winning every game, and he was a formidable player NYT Magazine, February 23, 1958, p. SM 38.

48 “Bobby brushes his teeth daily but has more difficulty in taking a bath.” Postcard from Lombardy to Regina Fischer, circa 1958, in DeLucia and DeLucia, 2009, p. 49.

49 Lombardy also conveyed his initial impressions of Portorož CL, October 1958, p. 314.

50 Regina wrote to Joan that she was worried Lombardy might be damning Bobby with faint praise Letter from Regina Fischer to Joan Fischer, circa 1958, MCF.

51 “Bobby really didn’t need Lombardy” Author’s interview of James T. Sherwin, February 27, 2009, by telephone.

52 One difficulty arose when Lombardy had to leave the tournament for several days Letter from Regina Fischer to Joan Fischer, August 1956, MCF.

53 Lombardy reported the following remarks about his friend Bobby CR, October 1958, p. 314.

54 Bobby’s managing to avoid a loss in his first European tournament “highlighted a noteworthy turn in chess history” New York World-Telegram and Sun, August 16, 1958.

55 Fischer off form in debut abroad NYT, August 17, 1958, p. S4.

56 he was actually the prototype of the grandmaster character Kronsteen in the James Bond film From Russia with Love Basalla, p. 142.

57 He was a fiercely attacking player, but at the board he’d often seem as if in a trance Golombek, Golombek’s Encyclopedia, p. 48.

58 Fischer had publicly announced before the tournament that there might be one player who could defeat him: Bronstein Tal, p. 105.

59 At the Marshall Chess Club, where players were analyzing the Interzonal games as they were cabled in from Portorož, there was near-delirium when word arrived of the draw CR, October 1958, p. 291.

60 “Bronstein?!” people were saying incredulously, almost whooping, as if the Soviet player were Goliath, and Bobby as David had stood up to him Schonberg, p. 230.

61 So great was the impact of that game that club members began planning a party for the returning hero CR, October 1958, p. 315.

62 Years later, Fischer would judge the Larsen game one of the best he ever played Fischer, My 60 Memorable Games, p. 18.

63 “Fischer won with amazing ease” CR, November 1958, p. 342.

64 Writing to Collins, he explained: “I never should have lost” Letter from Bobby Fischer to Jack Collins, no date, JWC.

65 “Nobody sacrifices a piece against Fischer” Ibid.

66 The New York Times was exuberant in running a salute to Bobby on its editorial page NYT, September 14, 1958, p. E10.

67 “Remember, next year I will have to attend the tournament of Candidates before I can think of meeting Botvinnik.” New York World-Telegram and Sun, September 12, 1958.

68 “One thing is certain—I am not going to be a professional chess player.” United Press International wire report, September 13, 1958.

69 Bobby felt manhandled in both Moscow and Portorož PRO, p. 168.

70 “That looks Continental,” he said in a courtly manner NYT, September 16, 1958, p. 29.

71 Six days after Bobby’s arrival back in the United States, the Marshall Chess Club followed through on its intentions and held a reception for him New York World-Telegram and Sun, September 29, 1958.

72 A week later Bobby was back at the Marshall to play in the weekly speed tournament New York World-Telegram and Sun, October 4, 1958.

73 But Collins also showed Bobby a father’s love Newsday, September 23, 1992.

74 Raymond Weinstein, a strong international master and a student of Collins, wrote Unpublished autobiographical essay by Raymond Weinstein, circa 1958, FB.

75 “If someone was willing to pay $50” Interview of Asa Hoffmann by author, March 2008, New York.

Chapter 5: The Cold War Gladiator

Bobby Fischer’s letters to his mother and to Jack Collins provided the most telling of the sources for this chapter. Information regarding his preference for radio shows and how that had an effect on his religious beliefs came from an interview with Bobby and from his conversations with the author.

1 J. H. Donner, the gigantic Dutch grandmaster, noted the contrast Elsevier Weekend, June 13, 1959.

2 “laconic as the hero of an old cowboy movie.” NYT, September 11, 1958, p. 46.

3 Fischer was the only American, and to many he was the tournament’s dark knight Plisetsky and Voronkov, p. 21.

4 he learned the Serbo-Croatian word for “first” Wade and O’Connell, essay in Leonard Barden, From Portorož to Petrosian (New York: Doubleday and Co., 1972), p. 331.

5 Bobby’s second, the great Danish player Bent Larsen, who was there to help him Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 1959, MCF.

6 One Russian master, Igor Bondarevsky, wrote that Plisetsky and Voronkov, p. 16.

7 Bobby, for his part, was livid at the seeming collusion Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 9, 1959, MCF.

8 Tal was an encyclopedia of kinetic movement Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, 1959, MCF.

9 Tal’s coach Igor Bondarevsky referred to his charge’s movements as “circling around the table like a vulture” Plisetsky and Voronkov, p. 31.

10 Since Tal’s body language was so bizarre, Fischer interpreted it as an attempt to annoy him Candidates Tournament, 1959, newsreel footage, no date, YouTube, accessed December 9, 2009.

11 and he told the organizers that Tal should be thrown out of the tournament Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 11, 1959, MCF.

12 He wrote a complaint about the chattering Handwritten statement of Bobby Fischer, October 1959, FB.

13 “Why did Tal say ‘cuckoo’ to me?” Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, 1959, MCF.

14 After that, a local Bled newspaper published a group of caricatures of all eight players DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 54.

15 She hoped she could talk him back into classes somewhere Letters from Regina Fischer to U.S. embassies in Mexico City and Buenos Aires, both December 15, 1958, MCF.

16 the assistant principal of Erasmus, Grace Corey, wrote to Bobby in Yugoslavia Letter from Grace Corey to Bobby Fischer, June 27, 1959, FB.

17 They were unaware that Bobby had read literature in high school Bobby Fischer conversations with author, circa 1963–64.

18 Voltaire’s Candide was a favorite Interview of Dr. Eliot Hearst by author, February 7, 2009.

19 Tal asked Bobby if he’d ever gone to the opera New York Daily News, March 26, 1958.

20 He also owned a book that told the stories of all the great operas FB.

21 “If Tal doesn’t behave himself, I am going to smash out all of his front teeth.” Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 9, 1959, MCF.

22 “I am in a good mood before I win all of my games.” Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 9, 1959, MCF.

23 “If I don’t win against Smyslov tomorrow, I’ll cut off my ear.” Bjelica, p. 118.

24 Larsen, whom Bobby described as “sulky and unhelpful,” kept discouraging him Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 1959, MCF.

25 “He is no match for Tal” Harry Golombek, 4th Candidates Tournament, 1959, p. vii.

26 World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik misdiagnosed the young American’s struggles CR.

27 Bobby began to plot. Tal had to be stopped Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 11, 1959, MCF.

28 Tal, he said, had purposely made him lose three games in a row Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 11, 1959, MCF.

29 Bobby began to wonder and scheme Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 11, 1959, MCF.

30 “I don’t believe in psychology—I believe in good moves.” PRO, p. 230.

31 “I would very much have liked to change his decision.” Tal, p. 124.

32 “I love the dark of the night. It helps me to concentrate.” PRO, p. 174.

33 Next to each bed, resting on a chair, was a chess set. Saturday Review, August 27, 1963; Edmonds and Eidinow, p. 10.

34 “The Bahn Frei Polka” by Eduard Strauss NYT, March 26, 2000, WK7.

35 “It sounds like circus music,” he once said in a joyful mood Author’s conversation with Bobby Fischer, circa 1964, New York.

36 Sporadically, Shepherd would mention Bobby on the air From Jean Shepherd’s radio broadcasts, circa 1964.

37 “He seems so sincere” Ambassador Report, June 1977.

38 “We take the broken bread unworthily if” “Does God Heal Today?” Sermon originally broadcast in 1962 and reprinted in a sixteen-page pamphlet published by the Worldwide Church of God, pp. 10-11.

39 “What is the basic cause of war and human suffering?” Biblical Understanding. Correspondence course, Lesson I. MCF.

40 “The Holy Bible is the most rational” Ambassador Report, June 1977.

41 Bobby became very upset. Author’s conversation with Bobby Fischer, summer 1964.

Chapter 6: The New Fischer

1 “We can eat at the Oyster Bar. You like that. C’mon.” Observation by author, circa 1959 or 1960.

2 “Anyone should be able to become a master,” he said with certainty Observation by author, circa 1960.

3 Public pairing ceremonies were the custom, he loudly pointed out, in all European and most international tournaments Observation by author, December 1960.

4 “Simple,” said Bobby in response, “just do the pairings over again” Telephone conversation between Bobby Fischer and an official of the U.S. Chess Federation. December 1959.

5 “Note his dungarees and [plaid] shirt in contrast to his opponents’ business suits and ties.” Parade, October 27, 1957, p. 22.

6 He introduced Bobby to his tailor in the Little Hungary section of Manhattan PRO, p. 35.

7 She set up a trust fund with Ivan Woolworth Agreement between Ivan Woolworth and Regina Fischer, July 15, 1960, FB.

8 Regina, ever irrepressible and somehow aware of the adverse weather Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby, April 4, 1960, MCF.

9 Unsurprisingly, he won all the games NYT, August 26, 1960, p. 9.

10 He suggested that Regina undertake a hunger strike for chess NYT, October 12, 1960, p. 43.

11 Although separated in age by almost four decades, the two players became relatively close and remained so for years CL, December 20, 1960, p. 15.

12 The cerebral melee ended in a draw NYT, November 2, 1960, p. 45.

13 A short while later, Chess Life, in describing the incident CL, March 20, 1961.

Chapter 7: Einstein’s Theory

Bobby Fischer’s interview in a publication that was attempting to expose the Worldwide Church of God was one of the most revelatory ever published about his religious beliefs. That article and interviews of players at Curaçao in 1962 added to the sources for this chapter.

1 he and his sister took a taxi to a victory dinner for Bobby at Vorst’s Interview of Jack Collins by author, January 1961.

2 “Fischer has not lost a game in an American tournament since 1957.” CL, January 20, 1961, p. 1.

3 It didn’t help that a study had been published that year in American Statistician magazine Ernest Rubin, “The Age Factor in Masters Chess,” reprinted in CL, February 20, 1961, pp. 40–43.

4 During the summer of 1961 a sixteen-game match between the two players was negotiated and a prize fund of $8,000 was promised NYT, August 19, 1961, p. 15.

5 When four world-class chess players—Svetozar Gligoric, Bent Larsen, Paul Keres, and Tigran Petrosian—were asked PRO, p. 42.

6 Early in his career he did play before sundown Hooper and Whyld, p. 22.

7 He simply couldn’t play at that time, he said. “It’s ridiculous.” NYT, August 15, 1961, p. 36.

8 She could always come to the game after the concert, he argued CL, August 1961, pp. 213–20.

9 Reshevsky paced up and down, a few spectators waited patiently NYT, August 14, 1961, p. 20.

10 Bobby ultimately sued Reshevsky and the American Chess Foundation “Chess Stars Heading for Court Battle” The Daily Gleaner, Kingston, Ontario, April 27, 1962.

11 “It’s up those metal stairs.” The source of the information following, pages 137–39, consisted also of interviews with Bobby Fischer, circa 1964, and with Ralph Ginzburg, circa 1962.

12 an interview with Bobby for Harper’s magazine Ralph Ginzburg, “Portrait of a Genius or a Young Chess Master,” Harper’s, January 1962, pp. 49–55.

13 In preparation for the interview, Ginzburg had read Elias Canetti’s classic work Auto-da-Fé See Canetti.

14 “I don’t want to talk about it! Don’t ever mention Ginzburg’s name to me!” PRO, p. 47.

15 It honed his instinct and forced him to trust himself CL, February 1962, p. 25.

16 “the number comes up again and again [the magic number for true expertise: ten thousand hours of practice]” Gladwell, p. 41.

17 “Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.” Gladwell, p. 41.

18 Bobby signed it using the Russian Cyrillic alphabet, needing to change only a few letters. CL, February 1962, p. 25.

19 “A charmer” CR, November 1961, p. 347.

20 Tal [Sighing]: “It is difficult to play against Einstein’s theory.” Fischer, My 60 Memorable Games, p. 196; also in CL, March 1952, p. 58.

21 Bobby was not happy with his eventual second-place showing in the tournament CR, November 1961, p. 323.

22 he was also having difficulty keeping food down PRO, p. 50.

23 the British Broadcasting Corporation invited him to London to appear on a show called Chess Treasury of the Air Tiller, p. 124.

24 Bobby spent a British Christmas with his mother and her new husband Letter to Regina Pustan from Bobby Fischer, January 1963, MCF.

25 “I wasn’t just ‘trusting in God’ to give me the moves.” “The Painful Truth,” interview of Bobby Fischer in Ambassador Report, June 1976.

26 Bobby wrote a preachy letter to his mother Letter to Regina Pustan from Bobby Fischer, March 9, 1964, MCF.

27 A good and tolerant life was the best life, she said Copy of letter, perhaps unsent, to Bobby Fischer from Regina Pustan, August 1964, MCF.

28 “If anyone tried to live by the letter of the law, it was me” Ambassador Report, June 1977.

29 “The more I tried [to be obedient] the more crazy I became,” he noted “The Painful Truth,” interview of Bobby Fischer in Ambassador Report, June 1976.

30 the real prize for Bobby was to qualify for the Candidates tournament Conversation with author, April 1962.

31 “Bobby Fischer’s margin of 2½ points reflects his complete domination of the event.” CL, April 1962, p. 69.

32 entered Bobby’s room at the Hotel Intercontinental in Curaçao shortly after Arthur Bisguier, Bobby’s second, had arrived. DeLucia, p. 270.

33 “No, you get out!” Benko replied, somewhat illogically. Interview of Pal Benko by author, summer 2008.

34 “I am sorry that I beat up Bobby. He was a sick man, even then.” Ibid.

35 The day after the fight, Bobby penned a letter to the Tournament Committee, asking them to expel Benko. Chesscafe.com/FromArchive/FromArchive.htm, “The Fischer-Benko Slapping Incident,” September 1977.

36 the Candidates tournament had furnished “a series of early-round surprises that are probably without parallel in chess history” CL, August 1962, p. 172.

37 “Chess is better.” Interview of Arthur Bisguier by author, February 21, 2009.

38 “There was open collusion between the Russian [Soviet] players” Sports Illustrated, August 20, 1962, accessed December 10, 2009, http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault.

39 Korchnoi, in his memoir Chess Is My Life, backed Bobby’s accusations Korchnoi, pp 44–45.

40 “He simply wasn’t the best player.” Interview of Pal Benko by author, July 2000, Philadelphia, PA.

41 The article was reprinted in German, Dutch, Spanish, Swedish, Icelandic, and (with modifications) Russian. Bobby Fischer, “The Russians Have Fixed World Chess,” Sports Illustrated, August 20, 1962.

Chapter 8: Legends Clash

FBI files of an investigation of Bobby Fischer added facts, heretofore unknown, about his life. Interviews with players who knew him well provided additional insights. Observations by the author served as a catalyst to the research.

1 “tinkering with the engine of a plane” Quoted in the film Me and Bobby Fischer, directed by Fridrik Gudmundsson, DVD, 2009.

2 Winner three times of the World Championship, he’d defeated Alexander Alekhine, José Capablanca, Max Euwe, and Emanuel Lasker Golombek, Golombek’s Encyclopedia, pp. 38–39.

3 Bobby shook hands and said succinctly, “Fischer” CL, November 1962, p. 262.

4 He knew he was a major representative of the Soviet Union Interview of M. Botvinnik by author, Skopje, Macedonia, September 1972.

5 His pupil, Anatoly Karpov, said of him that he had an “Olympian inaccessibility” Karpov, p. 41.

6 When the game was adjourned, it appeared that Fischer’s position was clearly superior. CL, November 1962, p. 261.

7 “Look,” he said. “Botvinnik is getting assistance!” Botvinnik, pp. 170–78.

8 No official protest was put before the tournament committee PRO, p. 66.

9 Mysteriously, the nineteen-year-old wrote a letter of apology to Dr. Eliot Hearst Interview of Dr. Eliot Hearst by author, February 7, 2009, by telephone.

10 Aboard the New Amsterdam once again DeLucia, p. 96.

11 Botvinnik might have been able to become Premier DeLucia, p. 96.

12 But back in Brooklyn, Bobby said he just no longer wanted to be involved with those “commie cheaters,” as he called them. Conversation with author, circa December 1962, New York.

13 Saidy’s position was powerful, and Bobby’s was precarious. Observation of author, 1964.

14 Saidy’s blunder gave Fischer an opportunity to develop a winning endgame Interview of Anthony Saidy by author, February 21, 2009, by telephone.

15 Fischer’s first prize for his two weeks of intensity and brilliance was just $2,000 NYT, January 4, 1964.

16 “Fischer was playing against children,” he said CL, August 1964, p. 202.

17 he’d said that he would never play in the FIDE cycle again because it was stacked in favor of the Soviets. “The Stalemate of Bobby Fischer,” CL, April 1964, p. 186.

18 General George B. Hershey, head of the Selective Service bureau Author’s discussion with Harold M. Phillips, circa spring 1964.

19 Alfred Landa, then assistant to the president, said Interview of Alfred Landa by author, circa spring 1964, New York.

20 Bobby Fischer was classified 4F Draft deferment card, 1964, MCF.

21 Nonetheless, the State Department flatly refused to recognize him as a legitimate columnist CL, September 1965, p. 191.

22 “Cuban travel criteria make no provision for validation for the purpose of participating in chess competitions.” FBI investigation file of Robert James Fischer, 1958–1967.

23 Furious, Bobby cabled Castro NYT, August 25, 1965, p. 36.

24 Upon receiving word from Castro, Bobby confirmed his participation NYT, August 25, 1965, p. 36.

25 The tick of the chess clock was the only sound heard Observation of author, who was a referee during the Havana match, August 1965.

26 Bobby had to play this strange, isolated form of chess every single game “Fischer Against the Odds,” NYT, October 24, 1965, p. X30

27 Still, he tied for second, a half point behind Russia’s Vasily Smyslov, the former World Champion NYT, September 28, 1965, p. 10.

28 They rigorously studied his opening, middle game, and endings Vladimir Linder and Isaac Linder, “From Morphy to Fischer, Who’s Next?” ten-page unpublished essay, Moscow, 2002, p. 8.

29 “We must get Bobby Fischer,” Gregor Piatigorsky told his wife. Piatigorsky, p. 166.

30 The story of how Fischer went into a swoon Kashdan, pp. xix–xx.

31 Fortunately, drawing deep from his inner reserves, Bobby did climb CR, October 1966, p. 296.

Chapter 9: The Candidate

Letters and postcards to Jack Collins, and widespread media coverage that appeared in the general and chess press for Fischer’s three matches leading up to the World Championship, provided most of the sources for this chapter.

1 He won the Monte Carlo International and ungallantly refused to pose for a photograph with His Royal Highness Prince Rainier CR, May 1967, p. 131.

2 when Princess Grace awarded him his cash prize Michael Hoffer, “Boris Spassky Interview and Fischer-Spassky Retrospective,” posted in Chess History, http://yes2chess.com.

3 he led the American Olympiad team to Cuba Andrew Soltis, Karl Marx Plays Chess and Other Reports on the World’s Oldest Game, p. 51.

4 because of the refusal of the organizers to agree to his scheduling demands CR, December 1965, p. 355.

5 “Leave me in peace!” Newsday, December 1967.

6 He, not the organizers, would decide when he’d play and when he wouldn’t Letter from William Lombardy to Anthony Saidy, November 13, 1967, FB.

7 “He felt he should enjoy whatever money he could get before it was too late.” Evans, The Chess Beat, “Bobby’s Dilemma,” p. 5.

8 Bobby withdrew from playing competitive chess in late 1968 Letter from Bobby Fischer to Ed Edmondson, October 29, 1969, JWC.

9 later telling one interviewer that he’d refused to play because of undefined “hang-ups” Sports Illustrated, April 20, 1970, pp. 62–63.

10 “to plot my revenge” NYT, November 14, 1971, pp. 32 ff.

11 Then, unpredictably, he made an exception NYT, April 27, 1970, p. 30.

12 Larry Evans, who was reporting on the match instead of playing in it and would act as Fischer’s second PRO, p. 161.

13 “This is not surprising, but if you see Bobby kiss the girl, then you have a news item!” CL&R, May 1970, p. 247.

14 fans filled the large hall to capacity in less than half an hour “USSR vs. the Rest of the World,” Glenn Giffen at Olipbase.org, 1970.

15 “At home they don’t understand. They think it means there’s something wrong with our culture.” CL&R, May 1970, p. 246.

16 He wanted to win the car, not to keep the car Chess Digest, September 1970, p. 194.

17 “He prefers to enter chess history alone.” CL&R, June 1970, p. 301.

18 If Bobby Fischer was ever going to become the World Chess Champion As published in Courier Journal, December 13, 1970, and NYT News Service.

19 Fischer and Geller were to meet in the twelfth round in a pivotal matchup PRO, p. 177.

20 “No draws in under 40 moves is an essential part of his philosophy.” Wade and Blackstock, pp 120–21.

21 “Maybe this was a good thing.” PRO, p. 181.

22 Taimanov arrived with a full Russian entourage NYT Magazine, November 14, 1971, p. 130.

23 “Well, I still have my music.” PRO, p. 188.

24 Fischer-doubters, especially the Soviets, had suggested NYT, July 21, 1971, p. 33.

25 For eleven minutes, Fischer continued to visualize the position in his head Time, November. 8, 1971, p. 68.

26 Bobby was obviously sick with a bad head cold NYT, November 11, 1971, p. 33.

Chapter 10: The Champion

A great amount of the facts that appear in this chapter were garnered by the author as an observer and working journalist/broadcaster during the two-month duration of the 1972 Fischer-Spassky match, and some of it has appeared in my book Profile of a Prodigy, 1973, 1989 editions.

1 Questions arose almost daily about such details as the prize money Interview of Fred Cramer by the author, circa April 1972.

2 But none of those topics interested the three men in the room that evening. Darrach, p. 6.

3 Fischer was concerned about the strength of Spassky Chessworld, Vol. I, No. 1, January–February 1964, pp. 60-61.

4 “Spassky is better” Darrach, p. 6.

5 Eventually, internecine warfare erupted between the United States and Soviet Chess federations and FIDE. Official report to FIDE by Dr. Max Euwe, May 16, 1972, No. 138, pp. 1–18.

6 He was encouraged to play there by Freysteinn Thorbergsson “Welcome to Iceland, Mr. President,” a pamphlet written by Freysteinn Thorbergsson, p. 30 ff.

7 Spassky ensconced himself in the Caucasus while Fischer settled in the Catskills PRO, p. 215.

8 This microscopic analysis often continued until the early hours of the morning. PRO, p. 216.

9 Almost as a parlor trick As told to Yasser Seirawan by Allen Kaufman in Chess Duels, by Yasser Seirawan, (London: Gloucester Publishers plc, 2010), p. 28.

10 “The odds should be twenty to one” NYT, June 13, 1972, p. 40.

11 “It’s true that he works alone” Interview of William Lombardy by author, July 15, 1972, Reykjavik, Iceland.

12 He often stayed overnight in the Fischer apartment in Brooklyn Author’s conversation with Jackie Beers, circa 1974.

13 “strike at the uplifted propaganda fists of the Communists.” Thorbergsson, p. 33.

14 “The Russian Bear vs. the Brooklyn Wolf” Time, July 31, 1972, pp. 30–35.

15 Asked if the bout would be a grudge match, he replied: “In a sense.” Interview with Dick Cavett, 1972.

16 Photographic blowups of Fischer and Spassky adorned the windows of almost every shop Schultz, Chess Don, p. 274.

17 Fischer canceled his flight to Iceland at the last minute Chess Base News, ChessBase.com/NewsDateline by Prof. Christian Hesse, ABC TV, 1972.

18 But, strangely, Fischer paused to buy an alarm clock NYT, September 5, 1972.

19 Sheed wrote: “Of Ezra Pound, as of Bobby Fischer, all that can be decently said is that his colleagues admire him.” NYT Book Review, September 3, 1972, p. 2.

20 As Saidy later related, the house was subjected to an unending media barrage Interview of Anthony Saidy by author, February 21, 2009, by telephone.

21 Journalist Leonard Barden phoned the Icelandic organizers to tell them that British financier James Derrick Slater Roy Blount Jr., “Boris in Wonderland,” Sports Illustrated, July 24, 1972, p. 15.

22 The second call proved to be that needed nudge Telegram to the U.S. Department of State from the American embassy in Reykjavik, Iceland, seeking assistance from the White House in prompting Fischer to come to Iceland, July 3, 1972, FB.

23 It was at this point that Bobby saw himself not just as a chess player Gligoric, Fischer vs. Spassky, p. 9.

24 “I know you to be a sportsman and a gentleman, and I am looking forward to some exciting chess games with you” NYT, July 7, 1972, p. 14.

25 “The challenger apologized” Press release issued in Reykjavik, Iceland, July 6, 1972.

26 “I couldn’t believe that Fischer was capable of such an error” Edmar Mednis, How to Beat Bobby Fischer (New York: Dover Books, 1997), p. 274.

27 Fischer then pointed to the camera aperture he’d complained about the previous day Steiner, p. 68.

28 Fischer began fighting for a draw Chess world championship, 1972; “Spassky’s View,” excerpted from 64, p. 258.

29 “What will happen to Bobby?” Interview of Lothar Schmid by author, July 15, 1972, Reykjavik, Iceland.

30 “He can’t be subject to the clicks and flashes of those machines [on their tall tripods] above him.” NYT, July 21, 1972, p. 32.

31 “In case of non-appearance of Fischer in third game” Released press statement by Dr. Max Euwe, July 16, 1972.

32 In an editorial entitled “Bobby Fischer’s Tragedy,” the paper wrote NYT, July 15, 1972, p. 22.

33 President Nixon also relayed an invitation to Fischer Interview of Harry Benson by author, August 1972, Reykjavik, Iceland.

34 Spassky, ever a gentleman, was willing NYT, August 16, 1972, p. 26.

35 Schmid recalled later that “for a second, I didn’t know what to do” Chessbase.com, September 28, 2009. Accessed October 15, 2009.

36 Fischer was told that it was just a closed-circuit, noiseless camera CL, November 1972, p. 679.

37 A thirty-five-year-old sociology professor, Shelby Lyman “TV’s Man on the Move,” NYT, August 10, 1972, p. 71.

38 In New York, intense demand quickly made chess sets an out-of-stock item NYT, July 9, 1972, p. 30.

39 “Iceland is a nice place” Interview of Fred Cramer by author, August 1972, Reykjavik, Iceland.

40 Shortly before the concluding week of the match, the Soviet delegation, by way of a long and preposterous statement NYT, August 23, 1972, p. 1.

41 But the secret weapon turned out to be a blob of wood filler NYT, September 5, 1972, p. 41.

42 “Two dead flies!” NYT, August 27, 1972, p. E5.

43 “It started out as a farce by Beckett” Interview of Harry Golombek by author, August 1972, Reykjavik, Iceland.

44 Then suddenly, wearing a maroon corduroy suit that he’d had custom made in Reykjavik, Bobby appeared “A Replay Precedes Fischer Crowning,” NYT, September 3, 1972, p. 19.

45 “We didn’t know if you were going to be the winner!” Interview of Dr. Max Euwe by author, September 3, 1972.

46 Euwe continued to talk and mentioned that the rules would have to be changed Press release copy of speech by Dr. Max Euwe, September 3, 1972, FB.

47 “I should have played here as my sealed move” Overheard at the banquet by nearby spectators.

48 “Fischer is a man of art “Notes on People,” NYT, CL, November 1972, p. 680.

49 The mayor had offered Bobby a ticker-tape parade NYT, September 2, 1972, p. 46.

50 Your convincing victory As reproduced in Larry Evans and Ken Smith, Chess World Championship 1972 (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1973), p. 261.

51 “the grandest master of them all” New York Daily News, September 23, 1972, p. 18.

52 “I never thought I’d see the day when chess would be all over the front pages here” AP wire story, as appeared in San Francisco Chronicle, September 23, 1972, p. 23.

53 That day, Bobby was not the old curmudgeonly Bobby AP wire story, September 24, 1972.

54 “Fischer has done more, however, than simply win the world title” NYT, September 3, 1972, p. 20.

Chapter 11: The Wilderness Years

1 “I want to meet girls” New York, February 20, 1975, p. 38.

2 So, working with Stanley Rader, the chief counsel for the Worldwide Church NYT, September 23, 1973, pp. 26–34.

3 The words “secluded” and “recluse” NYT, September 3, 1972, p. 46.

4 The Associated Press took the same tack AP wire story, August 22, 1973.

5 As a result of the non-event event, the resulting press coverage was practically nil. Reports from various news services, August 1973.

6 Attractive financial offers kept tumbling Bobby’s way—almost pouring over him NYT, September 11, 1972, p. 28.

7 “I was not yet World Champion but they treated me like a world champion.” Casto Abundo, “A Month in Manila with Bobby Fischer,” March 6, 2008, HTTP://www.FIDE.com, accessed March 10, 2010.

8 by the time Bobby came back from Iceland he’d received offers that could have totaled up to $10 million NYT, September 11, 1972, p. 28.

9 The Church imposed a number of rules that Bobby thought were ridiculous “The W.C.G. Talmud,” in Ambassador Report, www.hwarmstrong.com/AR/Talmud.

10 Bobby was appalled. “What? Don’t you believe in Satan?” New York Daily News, August 28, 1972.

11 “But these new groups are attractive to the apostate merely because they are foreign.” Mamet.

12 “Either God is a masochist and likes to be made a fool of, or else Herbert Armstrong is a false prophet.” “The Painful Truth,” an interview of Bobby Fischer in Ambassador Report, www.hwarmstrong.com/ar/fischer.

13 “It is the bottomless rascality of the goyim people” Protocols of the Elders of Zion; protocol no. 3, para. 16; as quoted in Eisner, p. 78.

14 “I carefully studied the protocols” Letter from Bobby Fischer to Pal Benko, circa 1979.

15 “The book shows” Letter from Bobby Fischer to Jack Collins, June 1976, JWC.

16 At one point Bobby had both Protocols and Nature’s Eternal Religion mailed to Jack and Ethel Collins Letter to Ethel and Jack Collins from Bobby Fischer, February 20, 1979, JWC.

17 Fischer sent the Collinses another hate-filled screed, Secret World Government Letter to Jack Collins from Bobby Fischer, May 14, 1978, JWC.

18 “Then the true believers begin to lose their fear.” “The Painful Truth,” in Ambassador Report, www.hwarmstrong.com/ar/fischer.

19 “I was really shocked when you refused to discuss the matter or do anything.” Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, June 26, 1974.

20 Marshall investigated a possible injunction to stop publication of the work since according to Bobby, Darrach had allegedly violated his contract Summons issued by Bobby Fischer as Plaintiff against Brad Darrach, Time Inc., U.S. Chess Federation, et al., December 22, 1975, JWC.

21 “Steinitz, Tchigorin, Lasker (too), Gunsberg, Zukertort … all played under the ten-win system” CL&R, November 1974; pp. 714-15.

22 “I will punish them and not play” Conversations conveyed to author, circa March 1975.

23 “Your professionalism, competitive spirit, and outstanding skill have thrilled all” CL&R, November 1974, p. 716.

24 “At the moment we are in a complete stalemate” Evening Standard (London), November 11, 1974, p. 6.

25 “FIDE HAS DECIDED AGAINST MY PARTICIPATION” http://www.chessgames.com.

26 The New York Times ran a story by international grandmaster Robert Byrne, NYT, April 13, 1975, p. 119.

27 “Bobby fears the unknown, whatever lies beyond his control” from the film The Auld Enemy—Fischer vs. the Soviets, September 11, 1998.

28 “I had no idea why Fischer refused to defend his title” Moscow News, April 28, 1975, p. 15.

29 “cultural purity” Letter from Bobby Fischer to Ethel Collins, December 21, 1976, JWC.

30 His friends from the Church, Arthur and Claudia Mokarow, owned the house Petra Dautov, Ein Jahr mit dem Schachgenie, Amazon.de, p. 41.

31 Every day, he’d drink one or two pint glasses of carrot juice, Böhm and Jongkind, chapter called “Harry Sneider,” p. 48–52.

32 Bobby’s outbursts would startle the infrequent passersby Interview with Jackie Beers, circa 1975.

33 Gradually, his savings were evaporating Unidentified newspaper clipping, “A King Eyes His Own Crown,” circa 1982, JWC.

34 He was solicitous toward Letter from Bobby Fischer to Ethel Collins, December 21, 1976, JWC.

35 Years later in Iceland Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

36 Bobby would just wipe him off the board in short order every time. www.BobbyFischer.net, November 23, 2009.

37 Finally Browne said, “You know, Bobby, you’ll really have to get off the phone.” Telephone interview with Walter Browne by author, April 11, 2009.

38 At the end of the letter he included instructions Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 27, 1974, MCF.

39 He simply did not want contact Letter from Bobby Fischer to Jack Collins, April 30, 1979, JWC.

40 Chess colleagues of Bobby’s—including grandmaster Robert Byrne—have said Kelly Atkins, collected anthology of Bobby Fischer quotes, Chessville.com.

41 “There is nothing in the [KGB] documents that there ever were any plans to kill him” Ree, p. 39.

42 A sportswriter once wrote that Fischer was the fastest walker he ever saw outside of an Olympian Dick Schaap, “Bobby Fischer Can Lick Muhammad Ali Any Day,” Sport, February 1973.

43 Another journalist, Brad Darrach Life, November 12, 1971, p. 52.

44 Just so the world would know what he’d gone through Complete copy at www.anusha.com/pasadena/htm.

45 “Yes, I wrote it, but I had a terrible time in that jail” Interview of Pal Benko by author, summer 2008, New York City.

46 Stories were told, unconfirmed by this writer, that when he was flat broke Böhm and Jongkind, p. 58, states that Fischer gave chess lessons for “5,000 a shot.”

47 “go back to your publisher and ask for a million dollars” Los Angeles Times, September 19, 1993.

48 His request was refused “on principle” DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 194.

49 Freelance photographers were willing to pay $5,000 Ivan S. Lagaroff, “Bobby Fischer’s Endgame,” Esquire, December 1992.

50 “Every now and then there would be a ‘sighting’ of a forlorn, bearded figure.” Independent, August 29, 1992.

Chapter 12: Fischer-Spassky Redux

1 Bobby wanted to get back to the game … desperately Letter from Regina Fischer to Joan Fischer Targ, March 8, 1984, MCF.

2 Spassky provided a way back to the board Independent, June 25, 1990, p. 12.

3 To avoid journalists, Bobby checked in under the name of Brown Sports Illustrated, May 14, 1990.

4 He forbade her to take a photograph of him Sports Illustrated, May 14, 1990.

5 “When I broke through internationally, he had just stopped [playing].” Böhm and Jongkind, p. 91.

6 He found Fischer’s neo-Nazi remarks about Jews to be “beyond the abhorrent” CL, March 1993, p. 28. (Kok is reported to have condemned Fischer’s “Neo-Nazism.”)

7 The press had learned that Gerhardt was somewhere in Germany Interview of author by German broadcaster Stefan Loffler, spring 1991.

8 He felt paternal toward her and thought Bobby might be interested in meeting her www.dmv.demon.nl.

9 “I think so” www.darkdemon.nl.

10 Now that he was in Europe in 1990, courtesy of Bessel Kok, Bobby visited Petra www.darkdemon.nl.

11 Petra married Russian grandmaster Rustem Dautov in 1992, and in 1995 she wrote a book www.darkdemon.nl.

12 “be careful” DeLucia and DeLucia, pp. 210–11.

13 The inn was known to be friendly to those who played the game Chess, July 2006, pp. 8–9.

14 It was, in fact, a letter from a seventeen-year-old girl, Zita Rajcsanyi Los Angeles Times, September 19, 1993, p. 36.

15 “Now that I have your interest” Kurir (Budapest daily), September 14, 1993, p. 20.

16 he believed that Kasparov and Karpov were actually agents of the Russian regime Kurir, September 14, 1993.

17 “Everyone who is a Soviet, and everyone who is Jewish, cannot be trusted,” he affirmed Farkasházy, p. 29 ff.

18 “You can hardly turn around” Letter from Regina Fischer to Bobby Fischer, December 15, 1990, MCF.

19 Zita remained in Los Angeles for six weeks and stayed at the home of Robert Ellsworth “Has the Bad Boy of Chess Grown Up?” Los Angeles Times, September 19, 1993, pp. 13–15.

20 the real reason Bobby was interested in her was “because I didn’t want anything from him” Kurir, September 13, 1993, p. 20.

21 “He was ashamed of his poverty” Seirawan and Stefanovic, p. 276.

22 He was also furious that although President Nixon had said he’d be invited to the White House El Pais, April 3, 2001.

23 In the interview Zita later gave to Tivadar Farkasházy, she claimed that Bobby was still waiting Los Angeles Times, September 23, 1993.

24 Besides offering Regina support, Bobby wanted to introduce her to Zita Farkasházy, p. 29 ff.

25 “I wasn’t thinking of that” Kurir, September 14, 1993, p. 20.

26 He referred to Zita as his girlfriend http:www.chessgames.com, May 3, 2008.

27 It took almost a year, but she finally located someone “Zita’s Story” and “A Short Story” in Seirawan and Stefanovic, pp. 275–76.

28 About a month later, in July 1992, Kubat, Zita, and two officials of Jugoskandic Bank were in Los Angeles Independent, August 29, 1992.

29 He’d later learn that the banker was one of the most powerful men in Serbia NYT, September 1, 1992, p. D1.

30 Kubat was afraid that Vasiljevic wouldn’t release the advance payment Contract between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky, Vladimir Miljavic for the Jugoskandik Company, signed July 11, 1992, FB.

31 Spassky agreed to everything in the contract “Banker Lures Fischer to Play for Cheque,” London Times, August 1992, p. 1.

32 Heavy fighting between forces Associated Press, August 19, 1992.

33 The forty-nine-year-old Bobby Fischer was described by a reporter NYT, August 30, 1992, p. A1.

34 After Bobby signed the contract to play Farkasházy, p. 119 ff.

35 “At one pole, there is elation over Mr. Fischer’s return from two decades of obscurity.” NYT, September 2, 1992, p. C14.

36 Bobby asked Gligoric (“Gliga”) to play a secret training match Chess in Translation, June 23, 2010, chessintranslation.com.

37 When asked at the time whether he’d like to engage Fischer in a match for the official championship, Kasparov snapped NYT, September 2, 1992, p. C14.

38 Order to Provide Information and Cease and Desist Activities Official Document from the Department of the Treasury to Bobby Fischer, August 21, 1992, FB.

39 He’d insisted that all questions be submitted to him in advance Wire service reports of transcripts of chess conference, September 1, 1992.

40 “Let’s start with some impudent questions from The New York Times” NYT, September 2, 1992, p. A1.

41 Although a large number of reporters had been interested in attending Bobby Fischer’s controversial press conference CL, March 1993, p. 27.

42 He then spat on the letter, and applause broke out. NYT, September 2, 1992, p. A1.

43 His anti-Americanism was lambasted NYT, September 2, 1992, p. A18.

44 “I am bored and disgusted with him” Ottawa Citizen, August 28, 1992.

45 “Yes, Fischer betrayed chess and everybody.” NYT, September 2, 1992, p. C14.

46 Denying that he was an anti-Semite Wire service reports of first press conference, September 1, 1992.

47 “They have absolutely destroyed chess” First press conference, September 1, 1992, reported in The New York Times, September 2, 1992.

48 “I like geniuses or crazy people” Chronicle-Telegram, “The Man Behind the Chesspiece,” September 23, 1992, p. A–7.

49 Twenty years of rust aside, Bobby played as masterfully as he had in 1972 NYT, September 3, 1992, p. C22.

50 Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan wrote Seirawan and Stefanovic, p. 32.

51 “Playing forcefully, the American chess genius seems to be in top form.” NYT, September 3, 1992, p. 622.

52 “This was maybe an off-day for me.” Second press conference, September 3, 1992.

53 Lilienthal had never met Fischer, and at the conclusion of the fourth game, they were introduced at the hotel’s restaurant http://eidard.wordpress.com. (Fischer was also to have said: “Pawn e5 takes __6!” giving the precise moves.)

54 “My general approach was not to think about the result of the match” Letter from Boris Spassky to the author, May 31, 2010.

55 “I think I am doing quite well, considering that I’ve been blacklisted for the last twenty years by world Jewry.” New York Daily News, September 2, 1992, p. 1.

56 “No, I have no regrets about spitting at that letter.” New York Daily News, September 2, 1992, p. 1.

57 “That man [Kasparov] is a pathological liar, so I wouldn’t pay much attention to whatever he says.” New York Daily News, September 2, 1992, p. 2.

58 “So I consider that the United States government and Time Incorporated went into a criminal conspiracy” Wire service reports for second press conference, September 2, 1992.

59 the greatest comeback since Napoleon Bonaparte sailed a single-masted fleet from the island of Elba in 1815 Time, September 28, 1992, p. 78.

60 “somewhere in the top ten in the world” Seirawan and Stefanovic, p. 283.

61 “True, the match with Spassky was not all that great” Interview of Arnold Denker by the author, December 2000, Boca Raton, Florida.

62 At this time Vasiljevic was making an arrangement for another match for Bobby Letter from Isodoro Cherem to Bobby Fischer, August 5, 1992, FB.

63 Bobby had met Ljubojevic. Vecerne Novosti (Yugoslavia newspaper), November 6, 1992.

64 Five hundred thousand depositors had funneled $2 billion into his sixteen bank www.attacktheking.com.

65 Years later he was extradited to Serbia March 29, 2010, NYT, p. A11.

66 On December 15, 1992, a single-count indictment in federal court in Washington, D.C., was handed down by a grand jury against Bobby Fischer Copy of indictment from the U.S. District Court against Bobby Fischer, December 15, 1992.

67 “I have no friends here; only Gliga and the bodyguards” Letter from Bobby Fischer to Zita Rajcsanyi, June 14, 1993, in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 191.

68 “He was rough,” she said. Kurir (Budapest daily), September 13, 1993, p. 20.

69 She left a good-bye note indicating that her affair had nothing to do with why she didn’t want to marry him. Undated letter from Zita to Bobby Fischer, circa summer 1993, in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 191.

70 “I was surprised to see how tall and big he was” Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by the author, May 23, 2009, Princeton, NJ.

71 She added that there he could socialize with some of the great Hungarian players he knew Interview of Zsuza Polgar by author, May 23, 2009, Princeton, NJ.

72 The Polgars, thinking of everything, had taken a chance on their way across the border Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, January 18, 2009.

73 “I think the Hungarians may arrest me as soon as I cross the border.” Faxed letter to Miyoko Watai from Bobby Fischer, June 19, 1993, in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 192.

74 Entering the sparkling city of Budapest Undated postcard from the Hotel Gellért, from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, circa summer 1993, MCF.

Chapter 13: Crossing Borders

Interviews of Pal Benko, Olga Lilienthal (by Dimitry Komarov), Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, and Zsuzsa Polgar, in addition to others that appear in Tivadar Farkasházy’s book Bobby Vizzatér, were invaluable sources for this chapter.

1 “You don’t need bodyguards in Budapest” Interview of Pal Benko by author, summer 2008, New York.

2 To protect himself, he bought a heavy coat made of horse leather Interview of Pal Benko by author, summer 2008, New York.

3 As soon as he was settled at the Hotel Gellért, Bobby was invited to spend part of the summer with the Polgars Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by author, May 2009, Princeton, NJ.

4 about thirty-five miles north of Budapest, in the verdant Danube Bend section of the Slavic Hills of Hungary “Seeking the Fischer King,” New York Daily News, August 22, 1993.

5 All of the sisters played chess with him, but acceding to his preference, they played Fischer Random Gligoric, Shall We Play, p. 86.

6 Zsuzsa played him “countless games” Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by author, May 2009, Princeton, NJ.

7 “I tried to convince him in the beginning about the realities” Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by author, May 23, 2009, Princeton, NJ.

8 “He was like a big kid,” Zsuzsa fondly remembered Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by author, May 2009, Princeton, NJ.

9 Even after living there for years, he referred to himself as a “tourist” Calypso Radio interview of Bobby Fischer, January 13, 1999.

10 Although Olga was almost the same age as Bobby Interview of Olga Lilienthal by Dmitry Komarov, circa 2008, letter courtesy of Magnus Skulasson.

11 “You are a good man, a good person, so you are not a Jew.” Farkasházy, p. 97.

12 Andrei had surreptitiously taken a photograph of Bobby at a New Year’s Eve dinner party Interview of Pal Benko by author, May 2010, New York.

13 He relayed a message to Lilienthal that he’d deliver the $100,000 in American cash to Bobby personally Interview of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov by author, August 2002, Cherry Hill, NJ.

14 “I was struck by how Fischer was up on everything that was happening in our country.” Vladimir Linder and Isaac Linder, “From Morphy to Fischer—Who’s Next?” Unpublished essay, Russia, no year.

15 Ilyumzhinov suggested that Bobby move to Kalmykia Interview of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov by author, August 2002, New York.

16 Bobby thanked the president and asked about Kalmykia’s medical care program Sports Express, December 20, 1995.

17 Ilyumzhinov also offered to put up millions for another Fischer-Spassky match Kasparov, p. 489.

18 “The old Jewish scoundrel Andrei Lilienthal” From a book in progress by Bobby Fischer, What Can You Expect from Baby Mutilators? November 18, 1997. Extracts appeared in DeLucia and DeLucia, pp 248–61.

19 Incredulous, Bobby asked Sofia: “How can you even talk to those people?” Farkasházy, p. 269.

20 When Zita told her mother what he’d said Farkasházy, p. 135 ff.

21 “Single, tall, rich, handsome, middle-aged American man” DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 236.

22 Once, when coming home late at night from an event Farkasházy, p. 375.

23 To Kaltenbrunner the fact that the great Bobby Fischer was gracing his home Farkasházy, pp. 382–85.

24 The film grossed more than $7 million and was nominated for an Academy Award Internet Movie Database, imdb.com.

25 It’s “a monumental swindle” “Bobby Fischer Moves to a Satisfying Peace,” Chicago Sun-Times, September 26, 1993.

26 Bobby felt safe enough to travel and eventually went to many countries Interview of Pal Benko by author, April 2010, New York.

27 Mysteriously, he also journeyed to Italy to meet a member of the Mafia Farkasházy, p. 198.

28 Some chess players in the state of Washington conjectured that he surreptitiously entered the United States Chess, January 2001, p. 8.

29 Sometimes he’d vary his routine and go on long walks Chicago Sun-Times, September 26, 1993.

30 Ellsworth actually realized his error in time to attend the auction and buy back $8,000 worth of the material Böhm and Jongkind, p. 65.

31 He just wouldn’t let it rest Bobby Fischer live radio interviews, http://bobbyfischerpage.tripod.com.

32 One psychiatrist, Dr. Magnus Skulasson, who knew Bobby well toward the end of his life Interview of Dr. Magnus Skulasson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

33 Saidy added that the media were exploitative in publishing the most hideous of Bobby’s statements CL, June 1999, letter to Larry Evans in Evans on Chess.

34 He lambasted Saidy for living in the United States Extract from Bobby Fischer’s diary, August 5, 1999, in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 285.

35 Bobby and Miyoko, both in their late fifties, lived a quiet life http://www.anusha.com/paf690.htm.

36 One of his friends who observed them together said that he treated little Jinky with affection Interview with Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

37 “Yes, well, this is all wonderful news” Interview of Bobby Fischer on Radio Baguio, September 11, 2001.

Chapter 14: Arrest and Rescue

1 He wanted the world to know about his devestating loss DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 275.

2 brought renewed scrutiny by the United States government NYT, July 17, 2004, p. A1.

3 twenty-four new pages perfectly sewn in http://www.canoe.ca/newsstand/columnists/ottawa.

4 It was dated December 11, 2003 Letter on “Embassy of the United States of America—Manila, Philippines” stationery, dated December 11, 2003, to Robert James Fischer, signed by Theodore Allegra, Consul of the U.S.A., FB.

5 being that the embassy had never sent the letter to Bern Chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=1852.

6 “He was so upset, and I didn’t know what to say” Interview of Miyoko Watai by Ev Mafurji on chessbase.com, January 9, 2004.

7 Miyoko, for her part, thought that U.S. authorities could have arrested Bobby anytime AP wire story (Tokyo), July 18, 2004.

8 Another time, he purposely stepped on the glasses of a guard Interview of Saemi Palsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

9 Fischer called it a “kidnapping” Quoted in network news footage, March 24, 2005.

10 He also wrote to Secretary of State Colin Powell AP wire story (Asia), August 17, 2004.

11 “permanently renounce my U.S. citizenship.” Bloomberg News Service. August 6, 2004.

12 Bobby’s plea was based on his paternity http://21-1-TW. Facebook.

13 North Korea … Libya … Iran … Montenegro … The Philippines Undated e-mail from Miyoko Watai to Pal Benko, circa spring 2005 in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 304.

14 Venezuela … Switzerland. “Freeing Bobby Fischer,” a report by Einar S. Einarsson, June 6, 2008, FB.

15 he’d become part of the Icelandic sagas NYT, (London), January 28, 2005, p. A7.

16 “Saemi, this is Bobby.” From the film Me and Bobby Fischer, 2009.

17 He was on a plane to the East Interview of Saemi Palsson by author, October 7, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

18 To not help them, they believed “Freeing Bobby Fischer,” a report by Einar S. Einarsson, June 6, 2008, FB.

19 they began lobbying the Icelandic government Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 8, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

20 “We feel obliged to express our deepest dismay” Letter of March 15, 2005, by the RJF Committee, FB.

21 “the whole country has no culture, no taste” Interview of Bobby Fischer on Bombo Radyo, August 12, 2004.

22 Fischer then announced that he was going to marry AP wire story (Asia), August 17, 2004.

23 “a pawn can become a queen.” NYT, August 20, 2004, p. A5.

24 “I’d rather not say” Associated Press, December 4, 2006.

25 “It was already a de-facto marriage.” NYT, August 20, 2004, p. A5.

26 “We had been satisfied with our life before he was detained” Interview of Miyoko Watai by Ev Mafurji on chessbase.com, January 9, 2004.

27 After months behind bars http://www.channelnewasia.com.

28 Honorable Members of Althingi From Bobby Fischer, January 19, 2005. FB.

29 These calls to Gardar Interview of Gardar Sverisson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

30 Bobby read some of the book Letter from Richard Vattuone to author, January 2010.

31 Fukushima criticized Chieko Nohno “Freeing Bobby Fischer,” a report by Einar S. Einarsson, June 6, 2008, FB.

32 warning that if action weren’t taken quickly E-mail exchange between Einar Einarsson and John Bosnitch, March 21, 2005, FB.

33 “When the leader of a country” Interview of David Oddsson by author, October 10, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

34 A federal grand jury in Washington AP wire story (Philadelphia), March 8, 2005.

35 suggesting that Iceland drop the offer of sanctuary Japan Times, December 23, 2004.

36 Fischer’s alleged crime of a violation of trade sanctions Ibid.

37 “The Immigration Bureau must think” Mainichi Daily News, March 22, 2005.

38 polled on whether to grant Fischer permanent citizenship Act Respecting the Granting of Citizenship, no. 16/2005, FB.

39 a limousine supplied by the Icelandic embassy AP wire story, March 23, 2005.

40 This was nothing but a kidnapping” Watching America website, and various network sources. March 24, 2005, FB.

41 “It is not his beard” Interview with Zita Farkasházy by Tivadar Farkasházy; Bobby Visszater, p. 369.

Chapter 15: Living and Dying in Iceland

A great amount of the source material for this chapter consisted of face-to-face interviews, telephone conversations, and correspondence with many Icelanders who knew Bobby Fischer during his residence in Reykjavik (2005–2008) and in 1972, and who were instrumental in freeing him from imprisonment in Japan. Additionally, correspondence with Bobby’s lawyers resulted in the clarification of important information. Examination of documents and correspondence concerning his detention and the ultimate granting of his Icelandic citizenship also provided new facts.

1 blue denim work shirt and pants AFP (Reykjavik), January 19, 2008.

2 As for what people thought about his dress Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

3 he gave it as a gift to his new friend Ibid.

4 “Fischer came close to being a moron” Skeptical Inquirer, Vol. 33–5, September/October 2009.

5 and sometimes even falling asleep Interview of Bragi Kristjonsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

6 “It’s good to be free” E-mail to Pal Benko from Bobby Fischer, April 20, 2006, in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 305.

7 he pored over books on battles from ancient Greece to World War II Interview of Einer Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

8 “This is absulutely vicious, illegal and unfair” Morgunbladid, July 29, 2005.

9 exchange of long, technical e-mails with UBS Interview with Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

10 So he lost Letter from UBS, “Termination Business Relationship Account,” July 22, 2005, FB.

11 UBS liquidated all of his assets Bank transfer statements from UBS to Landsbanki, various dates, May–August 2005, FB.

12 speculated that he was somehow prescient Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

13 deep, serious study of history, philosophy, and other topics Iceland Review, February 2008, p. 41.

14 Bókin reminded him of Dr. Albrecht Buschke’s chess bookstore The Smart Set, by Sara Blask, March 28, 2008.

15 Finally, he said he’d work for nothing Interview of Bragi Kristjonsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

16 “You know, the fairy tale and the Brothers Grimm” Interview of store clerk in Yggdrasil by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

17 Bobby answered in his typical Calvin Coolidge style Telephone interview of Helgi Olaffson by author, October 8, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

18 Sonja gently asked if he’d pose for a photo Interview of “Sonja” by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

19 “Gee, they didn’t know who I was” Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

20 “as Fischer probably feels trapped in Iceland” Interview of David Oddsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

21 Iceland was a “prison” Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 9, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

22 flagged to be arrested at any one of 368 airports Interview of Bragi Kristjonsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

23 “Eating was very important to him” Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by author, May 2009, Princeton, NJ.

24 Bobby grimaced and agreed not to buy it Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

25 “They were in love and showed it in many small ways” Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

26 “But he also liked to study people when he was riding.” Ibid.

27 the driver keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009.

28 It became clear, however, that Titomirov had no interest. E-mails from Joel Lautier, May 27, 2005, and Dr. Alex Titomirov, May 27, 2005, to Einar Einarsson, FB.

29 announced prize fund was $14 million Undated five-page proposal, “Gothic Chess Match: The Clash of the Chess Legends,” FB.

30 “These games are fake!” Me and Bobby Fischer, 2009.

31 “Perhaps Fischer’s ascent to world champion was part of some conspiracy” Mark Segal, “Chess, Chance and Conspiracy,” Statistical Science 22, no. 1, 2007, pp. 98–108.

32 Bobby began finding fault Observer (London), February 10, 2008.

33 for the months of bodyguard work. Interview of Saemi Palsson by author, October 2009.

34 “This is a film that is supposed to be about my kidnapping” Interview with Saemi Palsson by author, October 7, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

35 “I am Bobby Fischer!” Ibid.

36 “This film is about the atom bomb.” Letter from Fridrik Gudmundsson to Bobby Fischer, January 28, 2007, FB.

37 Mr. Fischer wishes the group to draw attention Press release issued by the RJF committee, May 4, 2007.

38 “I want to see the books.” Interview of Gudmundur Thorarinsson by author, October 2009.

39 Even key stalwarts felt his sting Telegraph.co.uk, January 25. 2008.

40 Bobby’s snit against him lasted only twenty-four hours Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009.

41 “special but only in the negative sense” E-mail from Bobby Fischer to Pal Benko, May 11, 2007, DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 308.

42 “I don’t owe these [people] anything!” E-mail to Pal Benko from Bobby Fischer, May 10, 2007, as quoted in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 308.

43 “Well, that’s Bobby” Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 10, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

44 “Never obey anyone’s command” Wikipedia, accessed December 7, 2009.

45 “I am always on the attack” From Me and Bobby Fischer, 2009.

46 “I am a genius” From Me and Bobby Fischer, 2009.

47 Eventually, Bobby brought him a copy of Basic Catechism Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009.

48 Einarsson and Skulasson both concluded Letter to the author from Einar Einarsson, November 8, 2009, FB.

49 then professed that he thought “the only hope for the world” Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009.

50 “Unfortunately, we’re not strong enough” quote from an unpublished 300-page manuscript by Bobby Fischer dated January 17, 1999, as reprinted in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 272.

51 “The expressiveness of the eyes, my goodness, you can practically feel his sadness” Letter from David Surratt to Einar Einarsson, February 15, 2008.

52 His friend Pal Benko believed that to be the case Interview of Pal Benko by author, summer 2008, New York.

53 “Why didn’t you bring the whole book!?” Interview of Fridrik Olafsson by author, October 2009.

54 contrary to reports that he had it perched on his bedside table Interview of Magnus Skulasson by author, October 2009.

55 He was at Bobby’s bedside as a friend Iceland Review, February 2008, p. 43.

56 Bobby looked at him and said, “Nothing soothes as much as the human touch.” Interview of Magnus Skulasson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.

57 became his attendants and guardians Sunday Times (London), April 20, 2008.

Epilogue

1 “My brother is dead” E-mail to Einar Einarsson from Boris Spassky, January 18, 2009.

2 Only three weeks before Bobby’s death E-mail to Bobby Fischer from Boris Spassky, December 28, 2007.

3 “I have a brother’s feeling” Letter from Boris Spassky to author, May 31, 2010.

4 “Fischer just wanted to be buried like a normal human being” “Requiem for the Black King,” Iceland Review, July 4, 2008.

5 “Like him, he was buried with few present” Ibid.