I was a Victim PB

This I Was a Victim of Bobby Fischer is an English-language paperback chess book about the famous 1971 Vancouver match between Mark Taimanov and Robert James Fischer. It runs to 248 pages and includes the first English translation of Taimanov’s original Russian text, published 50 years after the match.

About the book

In 1971, Fischer won the match 6:0, but the story behind that score was far more tense and closely fought than the final result suggests. Two decades later, Mark Taimanov described the experience from his own point of view, creating a frank and detailed account of what happened both over the board and away from it.

The book also shows the personal consequences of that defeat. Even so, Taimanov’s respect for chess and his deep understanding of the game come through clearly throughout the narrative.

What’s inside

The book also covers Taimanov’s earlier acquaintance with Fischer, which dates back to 1960. Readers will find annotated games played by both players before the 1971 match, helping to place their rivalry in a wider chess context.

Archival material and analysis by talented young figures from the American chess scene add another layer to the book, combining a participant’s memoir with later analytical commentary.

Why read it?

This is a strong choice for readers interested in chess history, biographies of major players and the background to famous matches. I Was a Victim of Bobby Fischer is not just a record of games, but a personal story about pressure, rivalry and the cost of competing at the highest level.

Key details

• Product type: paperback chess book
• Language: English
• Page count: 248 pages
• Subject: the 1971 Vancouver match between Mark Taimanov and Robert James Fischer
• Content: first English translation of Taimanov’s original Russian text
• Perspective: personal account by Mark Taimanov
• Supplementary material: annotated games, archival material and analysis