Fischer, Bobby (1943- )

US chess player who was world champion from 1972 to 1975. In 1958, after proving himself in international competition, he became the youngest grandmaster in history at the age of 15. He was the author of Games of Chess (1959), and was also celebrated for his unorthodox psychological tactics.

Born in Chicago, Fischer was raised in New York and began serious involvement with chess at an early age. By 1956 he had won the US junior chess title and, within two years, had also won the US Chess Federation championship for adults. After winning the world title from Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 1972, he retired without defending his title. He emerged from retirement in September 1992 to play Spassky, completing his victory after a nine-week contest.