FISCHER, BOBBY. (1943-2008). American chess prodigy who, in 1958, became the world’s youngest grand master. Signed magazine. (“Robert Fischer”). 384pp. Large 4to. N.p., (1960). The December 1960 issue #12 of Chess in the USSR signed by Fischer at the top of the first page, above a story entitled “Year of Great Achievements.”

Fischer began his chess career at age 6 and gained international attention in 1970 when he faced the former Soviet world champion, Tigran Petrosyan. Fischer won 20 games against Petrosyan before losing one and drawing three. In another Cold War-contest in 1972, Fischer became the first American to win the title of Chess Champion of the World after he defeated reigning World Champion Boris Spassky, whom he had tied for first place in a match in Argentina in 1960, the year our magazine was published. Fischer refused a 1975 meeting with Soviet player Anatoly Karpov, causing the International Chess Federation to take away his title and declare Karpov champion. For 20 years Fischer was enigmatically absent from the chess world until he returned in 1992 to outplay Spassky in a rematch. His last years were spent as a fugitive from American justice, living in exile, becoming increasingly anti-Semitic and paranoid. He died of kidney failure in Iceland and was buried there in a small churchyard in Laugurdaelir.

Age toned with some staining, scattered staining and paper loss at the edge of the front cover. In very good condition.