I WAS A VICTIM HARDCOVER

This I Was a Victim Hardcover is an English-language hardcover chess book about Mark Taimanov’s 1971 match against Bobby Fischer in Vancouver. Best known for Fischer’s 6:0 victory, the match is presented here as far more closely fought than the final score suggests, with tension on and off the board.

About this book

This is the first English translation of Taimanov’s original Russian text, published 50 years after the match. Written by Mark Taimanov himself, it looks back on the events with honesty and emotional detail, covering not only the games but also the pressure, the atmosphere and the personal consequences of such a heavy defeat.

Even after that result, Taimanov’s love of chess remained intact. The book is therefore more than a match report: it is also a valuable record of the era, the psychology of competition and the realities of the chess world at the time.

Inside the book

Taimanov also returns to his earlier acquaintance with Fischer, which dates back to 1960. Readers get detailed commentary on the two games they played before 1971, along with broader context for the relationship between the players. That makes the book appealing not only to anyone following the Vancouver match, but also to readers who want a deeper view of Bobby Fischer’s career and the opponents he faced.

It also includes archival material and analyses by talented young American chess players, bringing a modern analytical perspective to this historical account.

Why read it?

This is a strong choice for readers interested in chess history, Fischer’s matches, memoirs and the psychology behind major contests. The hardcover binding also makes it a natural addition to a chess library.

Key details

• Product type: hardcover chess book
• Language: English
• Author: Mark Taimanov
• Subject: the 1971 Vancouver match between Mark Taimanov and Bobby Fischer
• Translation: first English translation of the original Russian text
• Publication timing: published 50 years after the match
• Page count: 248
• Binding: hardcover