Fischer - Spassky 1972 PB

This Fischer - Spassky 1972 PB is an English-language hardcover chess book about one of the most famous World Championship matches ever played, set in Reykjavik in 1972 and shaped by the wider tensions of the Cold War. It examines the Fischer–Spassky encounter not only through the moves, but also through the human and historical story behind it.

What this book covers

The 1972 match between Fischer and Spassky became more than a sporting contest: it came to symbolise an American challenger facing Soviet dominance in chess. In this volume, Tibor Karolyi revisits that legendary match from a fresh angle, combining game analysis with the atmosphere, emotions and background of the event.

This book also completes Karolyi’s account of Bobby Fischer’s career. After the earlier road to Reykjavik described in The Road to Reykjavik, the focus here shifts to the World Championship match itself and to the later Fischer–Spassky rematch in 1992. The result is a broader view of Fischer’s peak years and his later return to the board.

Why read it

This is a strong choice for readers interested in chess history, major championship matches and Bobby Fischer. It combines in-depth analysis with the context of the era, making it useful both for ambitious players and for anyone who wants to understand why Reykjavik 1972 remains such a significant moment in chess.

Key details

• Product type: hardcover chess book
• Language: English
• Binding: hardcover
• Number of pages: 520
• Author: Tibor Karolyi
• Subject: the Fischer–Spassky 1972 World Championship match and the 1992 rematch
• Historical setting: Reykjavik, 1972