Bobby Fischer Goes to War (Faber & Faber)

For decades, the USSR had dominated world chess. Evidence, according to Moscow, of the superiority of the Soviet system. But in 1972 along came the American, Bobby Fischer - insolent, arrogant, abusive, vain, greedy, vulgar, bigoted, paranoid and obsessive. And apparently unstoppable...'It was thanks to Fischer's greed and weirdness that the Reykjavik match was such a compelling event...A fascinating story, admirably told.' Daily Telegraph 'Fischer seemed to thrive on complaints, tantrums and ultimatums, treating the exercise as a game, not of chess but of Chicken...It is precisely these factors that make for such a gripping read.' Sunday Times 'The most famous chess match of all time reconstructed in a style as compelling as that of a thriller.' Irish Times 'Pure drama...The most cool, ruthless and rational player the world has ever seen.' Independent