Overview

In 1971 Robert James Fischer defeated Mark Taimanov by the sensational score of 6–0 in Vancouver, but the match games were far more competitive and tension-filled than the final score would suggest. Twenty years later Taimanov put pen to paper, reflecting on the experience. Exactly 50 years after the match, this is the first English translation of Taimanov’s original Russian text. Taimanov provides a richly detailed, honest and emotional account of the drama on and off the board. Despite the catastrophic match score, his love for the game of chess is evident throughout. Taimanov also discusses his early acquaintance with Fischer from 1960, including detailed annotations of both of their pre-1971 games, as well as the personal consequences of the match result. With fascinating additional archive material and analytical contributions from some of the brightest young stars of the American chess scene today, I was a Victim of Bobby Fischer is the ultimate insight into one of the most famous matches in chess history.

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9781784831608

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Reviews

"""Quality Chess has taken an imaginative approach to providing a modern perspective on Taimanov's games and thoughts which I think works beatifully… As to Taimanov's text, I really loved it!"" ""In summary, a really wonderful book and a beautiful testimony both to the astonishing Bobby Fischer and to the strange but wonderful fact that our most devastating losses can sometimes become our most cherished memories. 5 stars."" -- GM Matthew Sadler, New in Chess  ""The final result might suggest this match was one-sided and not worthy of careful scrutiny, but Fischer was the first to admit that the score did not reflect how well Taimanov played… ‘I was a Victim of Bobby Fischer' covers more than the games of the match. Taimanov writes at length about his impressions of Fischer who he first met when Bobby was still a teenager. It is apparent throughout this book that Taimanov was able to appreciate Fischer's good qualities and downplay his challenging behaviors. [This] is a welcome addition to the ever-growing number of books on the 11th World Champion and one all Bobby Fischer fans will enjoy."" -- IM John Donaldson ""In summary, this is a significant book quite unlike any other we have read. Beautifully produced it brings you into the mind of a great chessplayer and person who gave his all and was treated appallingly. We commend to you this book without doubt: you will not be disappointed. One of our favourites of 2021."" -- John Upham, British Chess News"

Author Information

Mark Taimanov was one of the elite Soviet chess grandmasters throughout the 1950s to the 1970s.

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