FIELDS OF FORCE: Fischer and Spassky at Reykajavik

by George Steiner ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 25, 1974

Bobby Fischer's audaciousness -- his ""bad manners and indifference to customary social behavior and to the personal feelings of others verge on the transcendent"" -- becomes the springboard of patzer Steiner's perusal of the whys and wherefores of the chess genius. Steiner traces Fischer's predecessors from Morphy (perhaps Fischer's only rival for cheek) through Steinitz, Capablanca, Botvinnik, Petrosian, and others; simultaneously, he offers examples from their games, including the match in Iceland. It is not an esoteric analysis of the moves, but it reveals the violence, autism, and intoxication of the game. Steiner may not be a chess whiz, but he is an alert, astute writer.

Pub Date: June 25, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1974

Categories: NONFICTION