♟️ Chess · Grandmaster

Bobby Fischer

United States · 1955–1972

Broke Soviet dominance alone, then walked away.

2785
Peak rating: 1972–1975
World champion: 8
US titles: 2
Candidates whitewashes

Career

Fischer won the 1972 world title in Reykjavík after a candidates run in which he beat two grandmasters 6–0, results considered close to impossible at that level. He never played a competitive game after winning the title, and his demands over playing conditions permanently improved professional standards.

Honours

World Chess Champion, 1972
Won two Candidates matches 6–0 without a draw
Won the US Championship at fourteen, and eight times in total
Invented Fischer random chess and the increment clock

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