Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Penguin (Non-Classics) (1993), Edition: Mti Rep, Paperback, 226 pages
Description
Fred Waitzkin was smitten by chess during the historic Fischer-Spassky championship in 1972. When Fischer disappeared from public view, Waitzkin's interest waned--until his own son Josh emerged as a chess prodigy. Searching for Bobby Fischer is the story of Fred Waitzkin and his son, from the moment six-year-old Josh first sits down at a chessboard until he competes for the national championship. Drawn into the insular, international network of chess, they must also navigate the difficult waters of their own relationship. All the while, Waitzkin searches for the elusive Bobby Fischer, whose myth still dominates the chess world and profoundly affects Waitzkin's dreams for his son.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ecw0647
Chess has always been a particular passion of mine, which, much like other passions, rises and falls as the years go by. Most games and their inherent competitiveness are fun, but chess remains the most elegant. It has the physical beauty of the pieces, the simplest of rules, yet the potential for
During the 70's, following the famous Fischer-Spassky match, the virtual embodiment of Russo-American war, practically every American mother wanted nothing more for her child than to grow up a chess master. Chess even had its cadre of groupies who worked their way up the ranking ladder.
Times have changed. Internationally ranked grand masters now must hustle games in New York's Washington Square Park, having no place to live or eat. Having devoted their lives to chess, they have no marketable skills. Meanwhile, the Russians coddle and nurture anyone showing the slightest hint of talent.
Fred Waitzkin's son Josh was found to be exceptionally talented at age six. By 11, he had fought the current world champion Garry Kasparov to a draw in an exhibition match. Waitzkin writes of his own passion for the game and his relationship with his son, and the impact such intense dedication can have on a child and his family, in a marvelous book entitled Searching for Bobby Fischer: The World of Chess, Observed by the Father of a Child Prodigy . The book is a fascinating account of the chess world, populated with eccentric characters. As one reviewer has said, "chess lives, or windmills its arms, on the outer rims of sanity." The "search" for Fischer becomes an allegory for families and values and the way we determine what is important in our lives. Fischer, even yet a recluse, even though probably "insane" (whatever that means), continues to dominate the American game. The Fischer-Spassky rematch in Yugoslavia may become the non-event of the century.
By the way, the movie was great, too
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incredible complexity, and no dice. I hate dice. Chess requires pure intellect.During the 70's, following the famous Fischer-Spassky match, the virtual embodiment of Russo-American war, practically every American mother wanted nothing more for her child than to grow up a chess master. Chess even had its cadre of groupies who worked their way up the ranking ladder.
Times have changed. Internationally ranked grand masters now must hustle games in New York's Washington Square Park, having no place to live or eat. Having devoted their lives to chess, they have no marketable skills. Meanwhile, the Russians coddle and nurture anyone showing the slightest hint of talent.
Fred Waitzkin's son Josh was found to be exceptionally talented at age six. By 11, he had fought the current world champion Garry Kasparov to a draw in an exhibition match. Waitzkin writes of his own passion for the game and his relationship with his son, and the impact such intense dedication can have on a child and his family, in a marvelous book entitled Searching for Bobby Fischer: The World of Chess, Observed by the Father of a Child Prodigy . The book is a fascinating account of the chess world, populated with eccentric characters. As one reviewer has said, "chess lives, or windmills its arms, on the outer rims of sanity." The "search" for Fischer becomes an allegory for families and values and the way we determine what is important in our lives. Fischer, even yet a recluse, even though probably "insane" (whatever that means), continues to dominate the American game. The Fischer-Spassky rematch in Yugoslavia may become the non-event of the century.
By the way, the movie was great, too
Show Less
LibraryThing member StrokeBoy
A good fast paced read. I started reading this book thiking it was about Bobby Fischer. I was wrong it is about Josh Waitzkin. If you like the world of chess this book gives you a good inside look. In particular I like the description of the matches in the USSR.
LibraryThing member br77rino
This review is for those who have seen the movie. Being the father of a chess prodigy and a sportswriter, one couldn't have asked for a better author than Mr. Waitzkin to bear witness to the contemporary chess world. All the scenes in the movie are here in the book, in a bit more detail. What was
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surprising to me is the half of the book that was left out of the movie - it is almost all about the Soviet Union. Apparently, Josh, Bruce (Pandolfini), and Fred travelled to the Soviet Union to see the land of the chess masters up close. Mr. Waitzkin's description of the Soviet system is not pretty, but it's not overly aggressive either. He had been something of a closet admirer, apparently, and had his illusions somewhat shattered by what he saw there. There is a very good description of the emphasis that the Soviets placed on chess, that there is actually a "chess culture" there. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Physical description
226 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
0 14 02.3038 6 / 9780140230383