43 The situation was serious enough that Gerhardt Fischer, Bobby's father of record, feared Joan and Bobby might be in great danger 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. 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 The only times he left the hotel were to play the two matches Mednis, p. 3. 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 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 compet.i.tors Bobby, though, seemed to feel that he'd make short work of his compet.i.tors Plisetsky and Voronkov, p. 15. 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 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." "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. Postcard from Lombardy to Regina Fischer, circa 1958, in DeLucia and DeLucia, 2009, p. 49.

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

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

51 "Bobby really didn't need Lombardy" "Bobby really didn't need Lombardy" Author's interview of James T. Sherwin, February 27, 2009, by telephone. 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 One difficulty arose when Lombardy had to leave the tournament for several days Letter from Regina Fischer to Joan Fischer, August 1956, MCF. Letter from Regina Fischer to Joan Fischer, August 1956, MCF.

53 Lombardy reported the following remarks about his friend Bobby CR 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 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 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 he was actually the prototype of the grandmaster character Kronsteen in the James Bond film From Russia with Love Basalla, p. 142. 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 He was a fiercely attacking player, but at the board he'd often seem as if in a trance Golombek, Golombek, Golombek's Encyclopedia Golombek's Encyclopedia, p. 48.

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

59 At the Marshall Chess Club, where players were a.n.a.lyzing the Interzonal games as they were cabled in from Portoro, there was near-delirium when word arrived of the draw CR At the Marshall Chess Club, where players were a.n.a.lyzing the Interzonal games as they were cabled in from Portoro, 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 "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. Schonberg, p. 230.

61 So great was the impact of that game that club members began planning a party for the returning hero CR 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 La.r.s.en game one of the best he ever played Years later, Fischer would judge the La.r.s.en game one of the best he ever played Fischer, Fischer, My 60 Memorable Games My 60 Memorable Games, p. 18.

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

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

65 "n.o.body sacrifices a piece against Fischer" "n.o.body sacrifices a piece against Fischer" Ibid. Ibid.

66 The New York Times The New York Times was exuberant in running a salute to Bobby on its editorial page NYT 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 "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." "One thing is certain-I am not going to be a professional chess player." United Press International wire report, September 13, 1958. United Press International wire report, September 13, 1958.

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

70 "That looks Continental," he said in a courtly manner NYT "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 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 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 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 Raymond Weinstein, a strong international master and a student of Collins, wrote Unpublished autobiographical essay by Raymond Weinstein, circa 1958, FB. Unpublished autobiographical essay by Raymond Weinstein, circa 1958, FB.

75 "If someone was willing to pay $50" "If someone was willing to pay $50" Interview of Asa Hoffmann by author, March 2008, New York. 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 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 "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 Fischer was the only American, and to many he was the tournament's dark knight Plisetsky and Voronkov, p. 21. Plisetsky and Voronkov, p. 21.

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

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

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

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

8 Tal was an encyclopedia of kinetic movement Tal was an encyclopedia of kinetic movement Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, 1959, MCF. 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" Tal's coach Igor Bondarevsky referred to his charge's movements as "circling around the table like a vulture" Plisetsky and Voronkov, p. 31. Plisetsky and Voronkov, p. 31.

10 Since Tal's body language was so bizarre, Fischer interpreted it as an attempt to annoy him 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. 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 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. Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 11, 1959, MCF.

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

13 "Why did Tal say 'cuckoo' to me?" "Why did Tal say 'cuckoo' to me?" Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, 1959, MCF. 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 After that, a local Bled newspaper published a group of caricatures of all eight players DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 54. DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 54.

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

16 the a.s.sistant princ.i.p.al of Erasmus, Grace Corey, wrote to Bobby in Yugoslavia the a.s.sistant princ.i.p.al of Erasmus, Grace Corey, wrote to Bobby in Yugoslavia Letter from Grace Corey to Bobby Fischer, June 27, 1959, FB. Letter from Grace Corey to Bobby Fischer, June 27, 1959, FB.

17 They were unaware that Bobby had read literature in high school They were unaware that Bobby had read literature in high school Bobby Fischer conversations with author, circa 196364. Bobby Fischer conversations with author, circa 196364.

18 Voltaire's Voltaire's Candide Candide was a favorite was a favorite Interview of Dr. Eliot Hearst by author, February 7, 2009. 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 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 He also owned a book that told the stories of all the great operas FB. FB.

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

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

23 "If I don't win against Smyslov tomorrow, I'll cut off "If I don't win against Smyslov tomorrow, I'll cut off my my ear." ear." Bjelica, p. 118. Bjelica, p. 118.

24 La.r.s.en, whom Bobby described as "sulky and unhelpful," kept discouraging him La.r.s.en, whom Bobby described as "sulky and unhelpful," kept discouraging him Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 1959, MCF. Letter from Bobby Fischer to Regina Fischer, October 1959, MCF.

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

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

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

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

30 "I don't believe in psychology-I believe in good moves." PRO "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." "I would very much have liked to change his decision." Tal, p. 124. Tal, p. 124.

32 "I love the dark of the night. It helps me to concentrate." PRO "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. Sat.u.r.day Review Next to each bed, resting on a chair, was a chess set. Sat.u.r.day Review, August 27, 1963; Edmonds and Eidinow, p. 10.

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

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

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

37 "He seems so sincere" Amba.s.sador Report "He seems so sincere" Amba.s.sador Report, June 1977.

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

39 "What is the basic cause of war and human suffering?" Biblical Understanding "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" Amba.s.sador Report "The Holy Bible is the most rational" Amba.s.sador Report, June 1977.

41 Bobby became very upset 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." "We can eat at the Oyster Bar. You like that. C'mon." Observation by author, circa 1959 or 1960. Observation by author, circa 1959 or 1960.

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

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

4 "Simple," said Bobby in response, "just do the pairings over again" "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. 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 "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 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 She set up a trust fund with Ivan Woolworth Agreement between Ivan Woolworth and Regina Fischer, July 15, 1960, FB. Agreement between Ivan Woolworth and Regina Fischer, July 15, 1960, FB.

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

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

10 He suggested that Regina undertake a hunger strike for chess NYT 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 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 The cerebral melee ended in a draw NYT, November 2, 1960, p. 45.

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

Chapter 7: Einstein's Theory.