'Larger than life', 'A legend in his own time', 'A god among mortals', have all been said about Bobby Fischer. These are our picks for the top moments and events in his spectacular chess career and uncommon life.
1. 1942 • Bobby Fischer's mother under FBI surveillance
(October) While carrying her second child, Bobby Fischer's mother Regina comes to the attention of the FBI. She is placed under surveillance. Over two decades, the FBI compiles a 900 page dossier.2. 1943 • Bobby Fischer born
(March 9) Bobby Fischer is born in Chicago. His father is Gerhard Fischer, his mother Regina Fischer (nee Wender). They divorce in 1945. The family moves to Mobile, Arizona, and then to Brooklyn, N.Y.3. 1949 • Bobby Fischer learns to play chess
Age 6, Bobby learns to play chess from his sister Joan.4. 1951 • Response to a mother's plea
(January) After Regina writes to the Brooklyn Eagle, Hermann Helms responds, 'If you can bring your little chess-playing boy to the Brooklyn Public Library, he might find someone there about his own age.'. Fischer plays in a simultaneous exhibition against Max Pavey and loses. He meets Carmine Nigro, president of the Brooklyn Chess Club, who offers to teach him.5. 1955 • Bobby Fischer's first tournaments
U.S. Amateur, N.J. (May, less than 3.5 points out of 6); U.S. Junior, Nebraska (July, 5.0 out of 10).6. 1956 • John W. Collins and the Hawthorne Chess Club
(June) Begins visiting Hawthorne Chess Club, a private chess circle at the Brooklyn home of John W. (Jack) Collins and his sister Ethel. Collins had been New York State Champion in 1952 and was a stabilizing influence on the young Fischer.7. 1956 • The Rosenwald tournament and Bobby Fischer's "Game of the Century"
(October) Invited to play in the 3rd Lessing J. Rosenwald tournament, Fischer finishes tied for 8/9th out of 12 players, 4.5 points behind the winner Reshevsky. He plays the 'Game of the Century' as Black against Donald Byrne.8. 1957 • Fischer wins the U.S. Junior
(July) Bobby Fischer wins the U.S. Junior Championship, San Francisco with 8.5 out of 9 points.9. 1957 • Fischer wins the U.S Championship
(December) Bobby Fischer wins the U.S Championship on his first try (+8-0=5, 8 wins, no losses, 5 draws), a point ahead of Reshevsky. Held at yearend during that period in U.S. chess, he also wins in 1958/59, 1959/60, 1960/61, 1962/63, 1963/64, 1965/66, and 1966/67, a total of eight times. The victory earns him a spot in the next FIDE Interzonal, a World Championship qualifier.10. 1958 • Bobby Fischer on 'I've Got a Secret'
(March) Bobby Fischer on Appears on 'I've Got a Secret', and wins a trip to the forthcoming Interzonal in Yugoslavia.
