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by Harry Benson
Chess / History / Biography
Hardcover
Size: 10.25 x 12.25 inches
Pages: 144
100 full-color and black-and-white photographs
ISBN: 978-1-57687-581-0
ORDER NOW
by Harry Benson
Chess / History / Biography
Hardcover
Size: 10.25 x 12.25 inches
Pages: 144
100 full-color and black-and-white photographs
ISBN: 978-1-57687-581-0
ORDER NOW
Available Fall 2011, concurrent with the release of the upcoming 2011 HBO documentary, Bobby Fischer Against the World, which will feature the words and images of photographer Harry Benson.
Harry Benson’s rare, exclusive photos of the elusive and controversial chess genius Bobby Fischer taken during the historic World Chess Championship match in Iceland in 1972 are collected here for the first time, in Bobby Fischer. Benson met Fischer in Argentina, during the qualifiers for the match, and followed him through his training and conditioning in New York, during the many weeks of the match, and was there in the winning moment to document Fischer’s historic victory. Fischer was a known recluse, and Benson was one of the very few people he would talk to throughout these defining moments in his life.
The match, known at the time as the “Match of the Century,” is now generally considered a battle in the Cold War between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. Benson’s intimate access to Fischer was not the easiest of tasks to accomplish. Worried about spies and saboteurs, lacking substantial support from the U.S., and seeking deep mental focus, Fischer prized solitude. In fact, Fischer barred the door even when his mother arrived from America. The intimacy of these photographs is testament to Benson’s photojournalistic prowess.
Filled with idiosyncrasies and a complete loner, Fischer is still revered by chess fans around the world and is considered the greatest chess player of all time. Benson’s photos of Fischer give insight into the private world of the man Benson calls “the most complicated and most fascinating person I have ever photographed.” Bobby Fischer is an in-depth look at the champion unlike any the world has ever seen.
