Frank Brady’s Endgame tells the story of Bobby Fischer, one of the most famous chess players in history. From a young age, Fischer displayed an extraordinary talent for chess. However, he completely disregarded formal education, dedicating himself entirely to mastering the game and becoming the best player in the world.
As a young and talented American chess prodigy, Fischer’s main goal was to defeat the Soviet players who dominated the chess world at the height of the Cold War. His rise occurred during a time of intense geopolitical tension, making his pursuit of chess excellence both personal and symbolic.
Fischer’s mother played a significant role in his life. Despite being a single parent, she did her best to support his passion for chess. She was highly intelligent and had been a promising medical student. However, the war disrupted her studies, preventing her from earning a degree. Instead, she worked in various jobs, including as a nurse, which was related to her training.
As Fischer grew older, his chess skills reached unparalleled heights. He became an extraordinary and ambitious player, but his personality was marked by arrogance and self-centeredness. Over time, he developed mental health issues, including a profound fear of being targeted by the U.S. government for his political beliefs. Fischer’s actions and behavior led to numerous sanctions. For instance, his passport was revoked, and he was detained in a Japanese immigration center, where he was reportedly beaten by authorities. Eventually, Iceland granted him political asylum, and he spent the rest of his life there.
After retiring from professional chess, Fischer led a solitary life. He spent much of his time reading, especially history books and similar subjects, often visiting bookstores and libraries. Fischer was married to a Japanese woman, but due to various reasons, they could not live together permanently. She frequently traveled to Iceland to visit him. Fischer also had a daughter with a woman from the Philippines, though the details of this relationship remained complicated.
Fischer passed away due to complications from kidney disease. After his death, a lengthy legal battle ensued over his estate. Without a birth certificate to confirm Fischer’s paternity of his daughter, a judge ordered his body exhumed for DNA testing, which ultimately came back negative. Additional complications arose due to the absence of a marriage certificate, and Fischer’s estate, worth millions, remained unsettled as he had left no will.
Many have speculated about Fischer’s mental health, with some labeling him as mentally ill. While his eccentricity and controversial behavior are well-documented, his intelligence, success, wealth, and resourcefulness cannot be denied. Bobby Fischer was, without question, an extraordinary individual who left a lasting mark on the world of chess and beyond.