Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess.

FISCHER, Bobby.

Item Number: 114756

New York: Basic Systems, 1966.

First edition of this definitive work on how to play chess. Octavo, original illustrated boards, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Bobby Fischer on the front free endpaper. Form the library of grandmaster and coach of Fischer William Lombardy, with his name on the front pastedown. “Ex libris William Lombard.” Lombardy was one of the leading American chess players during the 1950s and 1960s, and a contemporary of Bobby Fischer, whom he coached during the World Chess Championship 1972. He won the World Junior Championship in 1957, the only person to win that tournament with a perfect score. Lombardy led the U.S. Student Team to Gold in the 1960 World Student Team Championship in Leningrad. In very good condition with some rubbing to the extremities. From the library of William Lombardy. An exceptional association copy, linking these two giants of chess.

At age 13 Fischer won a "brilliancy" that became known as The Game of the Century. Starting at age 14, Fischer played in eight United States Championships, winning each by at least a one-point margin. At age 15, Fischer became both the youngest grandmaster up to that time and the youngest candidate for the World Championship. At age 20, Fischer won the 1963–64 U.S. Championship with 11/11, the only perfect score in the history of the tournament.