Bobby Fischer Against the World

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At the height of the Cold War, he took on the Soviet chess machine—and won.

But then he went from golden chess god to a paranoid guy hiding out in Iceland:

I rank “Bobby Fischer Against the World” #1 on my list of Best Chess Documentaries (up to 13 so far!).

I rank it #1 because:

  • It’s an underdog story (Russia was dominant until Fischer came along) and covers not one, but two dramatic wins against Russia’s best player (Boris Spaasky).
  • Fischer’s story has a backdrop of the Cold War, adding extra drama
  • There’s a personal twist beyond his chess dominance
  • It’s the most comprehensive doc on a player who was #1 during his time (his FIDE rating of 2785 was the highest ever at that point).

Trailer for “Bobby Fischer Against the World”

Watch “Bobby Fischer Against the World”

You can watch “Bobby Fischer Against the World” for free on:

You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/bobby-fischer-genius-and-madman (though it had no options last I checked (September 23, 2024).

Ratings:

  • My Rating: 92/100
  • IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
  • Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 86/100 (Users); 88/100 (Critics)

Release Date: June 6, 2011

My Review of “Bobby Fischer Against the World”

Release date: 2011 Duration: 93 minutes Director: Liz Garbus

Bobby Fischer: From Child Prodigy to Chess Legend

“Bobby Fischer Against the World” is a haunting look at the life of a genius chess player who reached the pinnacle of the sport, only to spiral into paranoia and isolation.

Directed by Liz Garbus, the documentary traces the rise and fall of Bobby Fischer, arguably the most famous chess player in history.

From his days as a Brooklyn child prodigy to his 1972 World Chess Championship victory in Iceland against Boris Spassky, the film captures the intensity of Fischer’s brilliance and the depth of his personal struggles.

The documentary begins by laying out Fischer’s early life.

Born in 1943, Bobby was raised by his single mother, Regina Fischer, in Brooklyn.

Regina, a strong-willed intellectual with communist leanings, was under heavy surveillance by the FBI.

One of the more surprising moments in the film is when we learn about the massive FBI file on Regina, collected due to her political views. The file paints a picture of Bobby’s early life as shaped by tension and paranoia.

Growing up in this environment, Fischer’s obsession with chess became his way of channeling his energy and emotion. The game became everything to him—his escape, his passion, and his battleground.

The Cold War on a Chessboard: Fischer vs. Spassky

As Fischer rose through the ranks of the chess world, his rivalry with Soviet players took center stage. At that time, chess was dominated by the Soviets, and they viewed the game as a point of national pride.

Fischer was the lone American challenging their dominance, and the tension between Fischer and the Soviet players quickly became symbolic of the Cold War.

By the time Fischer was preparing to face world champion Boris Spassky in 1972, it was clear that this match was going to be about more than just chess—it was about national pride, ideology, and personal genius.

Fischer, ever the eccentric, approached the game in his own unique way.

One of my favorite details from the documentary is that Fischer borrowed his physical training regimen from the NFL’s New York Jets to prepare for his match against Spassky.

He wasn’t just preparing mentally; he was getting physically fit as well, knowing that stamina would play a crucial role in a match of this magnitude.

This speaks to Fischer’s obsessive nature—he was always looking for any edge, both mentally and physically, to outwit his opponent.

Iceland Showdown: A Rocky Start

When the match was finally set for Reykjavik, Iceland, in the summer of 1972, the world was watching.

The Fischer-Spassky match had the air of a heavyweight fight, with two titans of chess battling for supremacy on the world stage.

But from the very start, Fischer was unpredictable.

In Game 1, Fischer made a surprising blunder—something almost unheard of for a player of his caliber—and lost the game.

It was a shocking moment that threw everyone off, especially Spassky, who had been expecting a fierce battle right out of the gate.

Things only got stranger from there.

Fischer didn’t show up for Game 2, forfeiting the game and putting himself in a 0-2 hole.

At that point, it seemed like Fischer might self-destruct before the match even got going.

But in Game 3, everything changed. Spassky, perhaps thrown off by Fischer’s erratic behavior, made a risky and unconventional move.

Fischer capitalized on the opportunity and won his first game of the match, narrowing Spassky’s lead to 2-1. The momentum shifted, and Fischer found his groove.

Brilliance on Display: Game 6 and Fischer’s Ascendancy

By Game 4, Fischer had evened the match at 2½ to 2½, stunning the chess world. But the drama wasn’t just confined to the chessboard.

Spassky began to suspect that Fischer and the U.S. were using some sort of electrical interference to throw him off his game, a claim that seemed to reflect the Cold War paranoia of the time.

The accusation never gained any traction, but it added another layer of intrigue to an already tense match.

One of the highlights of the film is its focus on Game 6, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful games of chess ever played.

Fischer, playing with a calm and confidence that belied the chaos surrounding the match, made a series of unconventional and brilliant moves that left Spassky stunned.

Fischer won the game, and even Spassky couldn’t help but stand up and applaud his opponent’s genius.

This moment was the peak of Fischer’s chess career, showcasing his ability to think outside the box and play at a level no one had ever seen before.

Shortly after, Spassky retired from the match, unable to keep up with Fischer’s momentum. At the age of 29, Bobby Fischer became the new World Chess Champion, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in history.

Retreat and Paranoia: Fischer’s Withdrawal from Chess (and finds religion)

But Fischer’s story doesn’t end with his victory. In fact, it’s what happens afterward that makes the documentary so compelling.

Despite being the reigning world champion, Fischer refused to defend his title in 1975, walking away from competitive chess entirely.

Instead, he became increasingly involved with the Worldwide Church of God, a religious group that believed in the “fundamental” principles of the Bible and preached the need to prepare for the second coming of Jesus.

This shift in Fischer’s life marked the beginning of his descent into isolation and, as some believe, mental illness.

As the film progresses, we see Fischer retreat further into himself.

He became increasingly paranoid, making anti-Semitic and anti-American statements in public.

His behavior became more erratic, and it was clear that the pressures of fame, combined with his troubled upbringing and intense focus on chess, had taken a toll on his mental health.

A Tragic Decline: Fischer’s Final Years

One of the most poignant moments in the documentary is when it reveals what are reportedly Fischer’s last words:

“Nothing is so healing as the human touch.”

These words stand in stark contrast to the life he led—one marked by isolation, distrust, and a refusal to connect with the world around him.

“Bobby Fischer Against the World” masterfully weaves together Fischer’s genius and his tragic downfall, showing how a man who reached the pinnacle of chess became consumed by his own inner demons.

Legacy of a Chess Genius: Brilliance or Madness?

Ultimately, the documentary leaves us with more questions than answers. Was Fischer’s genius inherently tied to his mental instability?

Could he have maintained his chess dominance if he hadn’t walked away from the game?

And perhaps most tragically, could Fischer have lived a more fulfilling life if he had been able to connect with others on a deeper level?

“Bobby Fischer Against the World” is a must-watch for chess fans, but it’s also a deeply human story about the cost of genius and the thin line between brilliance and madness.

Thanks for reading!

Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc

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