Wie ich Fischers Rekord brach

This How I Broke Fischer's Record is a German-language hardcover chess book in which Judit Polgar looks back on her early successes and the path that took her to the very top. It combines a personal story with practical chess ideas, including the record she set by becoming a grandmaster at 15 years and 5 months — one month earlier than Bobby Fischer.

What the book covers

The book traces the rise of one of the greatest players in chess history. Polgar describes her development from an early age, including the moment she became world number one in her age group at just 12, through to the historic grandmaster record. It is a story about learning, consistency and chess thinking, told by someone who lived it herself.

She does more than revisit memories. Polgar also explains the chess ideas and decisions behind her progress, which makes the book relevant not only to readers of sporting biographies but also to players who want a better understanding of how chess skill develops.

Why read it?

This is the start of a distinctive project in which Judit Polgar turns her own journey to the top into a clear reference point for ambitious players. It brings together an inspiring life story and practical training context, so it works well both as reading for serious chess fans and as a gift for anyone interested in chess history and the game’s great names.

Reviews and context

The book’s description quotes a New York Times 1992 comment that captures the scale of Polgar’s achievement: the chess world was shaken by the young Hungarian player, seen by some as modest and gentle, but by opponents at the board as a true “wild tiger”. After years of steady development, she joined the game’s most elite ranks by earning the grandmaster title faster than Bobby Fischer.

Key details

• Product type: German hardcover chess book
• Author: Judit Polgar
• Language: German
• Binding: hardcover
• Subject: chess autobiography and chess improvement
• Record: grandmaster at 15 years and 5 months
• Comparison: became a grandmaster one month earlier than Bobby Fischer