The 60 Memorable Games of Bobby Fischer is a book by renowned chess master and Grandmaster Robert James Fischer, known in the chess world simply as Bobby Fischer. Though Fischer had a life full of controversy, his mastery of the game of chess was undeniable. In this book, Fischer chronicles sixty of the most important and memorable games he ever played, an invaluable resource for chess enthusiasts looking for insight into the genius of Fischer.
The book starts off with a 15-page introduction from the author, in which Fischer explains the basics of chess and details how his chosen set of games are the most important from his legendary career. He also shares how he chooses to see each game as a battle between two players, challenging one another to outwit the other in all aspects of the game. The introduction is thorough, giving readers a unique look at how Fischer thought of chess, what strategy he employed, and how he made choices in each game.
The games are divided into three sections, discussed in order of complexity, and issues of style, structure, and terminology. Fischer begins by explaining the importance of the opening move in chess, the interaction between pieces and pawns, and other basics of the game before exploring each of his most famous games. The discussion of the initial moves and decisions is especially useful for chess players trying to improve their game.
Fischer then moves on to the intermediate level, in which he reviews and explains additional strategic decisions such as dealing with attacks and sacrifices, pinning and mating, pins, and passed pawns, centralization, and other elements. Fischer shares his deep understanding and knowledge of the game throughout, as well as insights he obtained from other top chess masters.
The final section covers the most complex games played by Fischer, including his famous match against Boris Spassky, for which he ultimately won the world champion title. Fischer explains the style and decisions that allowed him to gain a victory in this high-stakes game, providing a thorough and instructive look at his genius in action.
In his discussion of each game, Fischer remarks on his own thought processes, problems he faced, and why he chose certain moves. These insights provide an invaluable resource for aspiring grandmasters to replicate Fischer’s success and help ensure success in similar situations in the future. Fischer’s mastery is so profound that he is able to apply the same tactics to different games, as evidenced by the fact that many of the games chosen for the book are relatively similar in structure.
In addition to the 60 games, Fischer also includes brief biographical information about each player and their career, which can be a valuable tool for students of the game. These notes provide insight into the background of each opponent and Fischer’s thoughts on those who helped, or hindered, his path to equality in the game of chess.
The 60 Memorable Games of Bobby Fischer is an invaluable source of knowledge and insight into the game of chess. Essentially a retrospective on Fischer’s career, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to improve their chess game. It can also be an inspiring reference for those struggling with the game, and Fischer’s insight into the art of chess is the perfect source of inspiration.
