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A review by melisacabelloc
Searching for Bobby Fischer: The Father of a Prodigy Observes the World of Chess by Fred Waitzkin
3.0
So the Queen’s Gambit lied. In a nonsurprising plot twist: there is no money in chess.
The book talks about a father and his son's early years in chess in New York City in the 80s, Josh (the son) will later be recognized as a child chess prodigy.
The book is set mostly in NYC, Russia, and Los Angeles. It talks not only about the world of chess and the dedication needed to become a master but also about antisemitism in the USA and the Soviet Union, as well as Russia during the Cold War. Although I appreciate the context of the world of chess I wish they would give more context on their family. At first, I thought that the title of the book was a little weird but the book describes the influence that Bobby Fischer had on chess around the world, as well as the myth-like fascination everyone had with Fischer. I personally also liked how the author included the reality of Bobby Fischer, he might've had a big influence in chess, but he was not someone you would like your kids to look up for.
If you liked the Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis you will probably like this, this seems like the realistic, nonfiction, less glamorous version of the book. Although the Queen's Gambit was published 5 years previous to this book, Searching for Bobby Fischer talks about the chess world during and after Bobby Fischer, which the Queen's Gambit clearly took inspiration and borrow elements from.
The book talks about a father and his son's early years in chess in New York City in the 80s, Josh (the son) will later be recognized as a child chess prodigy.
The book is set mostly in NYC, Russia, and Los Angeles. It talks not only about the world of chess and the dedication needed to become a master but also about antisemitism in the USA and the Soviet Union, as well as Russia during the Cold War. Although I appreciate the context of the world of chess I wish they would give more context on their family. At first, I thought that the title of the book was a little weird but the book describes the influence that Bobby Fischer had on chess around the world, as well as the myth-like fascination everyone had with Fischer. I personally also liked how the author included the reality of Bobby Fischer, he might've had a big influence in chess, but he was not someone you would like your kids to look up for.
If you liked the Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis you will probably like this, this seems like the realistic, nonfiction, less glamorous version of the book. Although the Queen's Gambit was published 5 years previous to this book, Searching for Bobby Fischer talks about the chess world during and after Bobby Fischer, which the Queen's Gambit clearly took inspiration and borrow elements from.