BBC NEWS | In Pictures | Life in pictures: Bobby Fischer

BBC NEWS / IN PICTURES
Graphics Version BBC Sport Home

Friday, 18 January 2008, 13:08 GMT

Life in pictures: Bobby Fischer

Bobby Fischer photographed by Philippe Halsman in 1972

1 of 10
Controversial former world chess champion Bobby Fischer has died aged 64.

American chess champion Bobby Fischer arrives at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana for the XVII International Chess Olympics, 1952.

American chess champion Bobby Fischer arrives at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana for the XVII International Chess Olympics, 1952.

2 of 10
Bobby Fischer was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1943. In 1956 he became the youngest ever Junior Chess Champion in North America.

Bobby Fischer exits the aircraft as he arrives home at Idlewild Airport after a tournament in Yugoslavia, 1958

Bobby Fischer exits the aircraft as he arrives home at Idlewild Airport after a tournament in Yugoslavia, 1958

3 of 10
At the age of 15 he became a chess grandmaster.

Fischer (centre, seated) competes against Soviet Tigran Petrosian in the chess 'Match of the Century' which was a duel between the Soviet team and the rest of the world team.

Fischer (centre, seated) competes against Soviet Tigran Petrosian in the chess 'Match of the Century' which was a duel between the Soviet team and the rest of the world team.

4 of 10
In 1970, Fischer took part in a competition between the Soviet team and the rest of the world. Fisher beat the former world champion, Soviet Tigran Petrosian.

Bobby Fischer of the US (right), and Boris Spassky of Russia in 1972

Bobby Fischer of the US (right), and Boris Spassky of Russia in 1972

5 of 10
Fischer's place in history was sealed by his remarkable defeat of world champion Boris Spassky in the "chess match of the century" in 1972.

Bobby Fischer exits a car into a waiting crowd which includes several uniformed Icelandic policemen as he arrives for his third match with Soviet world champion Boris Spassky, 1972

Bobby Fischer exits a car into a waiting crowd which includes several uniformed Icelandic policemen as he arrives for his third match with Soviet world champion Boris Spassky, 1972

6 of 10
After many disputes, the match took place in Reykjavík, Iceland, and saw Fischer become the 11th World Chess Champion.

Boris Spassky (l) shakes hands with Bobby Fischer at the beginning of their first match in the Hotel Maestral 02 September 1992 in Sveti Stefan, Yugoslavia

Boris Spassky (l) shakes hands with Bobby Fischer at the beginning of their first match in the Hotel Maestral 02 September 1992 in Sveti Stefan, Yugoslavia

7 of 10
Twenty years later, in 1992, Fischer controversially played Spassky in Yugoslavia in defiance of international sanctions.

Bobby Fisher (L) and Russian-born Boris Spassky in 1992.

Bobby Fisher (L) and Russian-born Boris Spassky in 1992.

8 of 10
Fischer won the game and the tournament with a score of 10 games to five, winning $3.35m.

Bobby Fischer leaves the immigration detention centre in Ushiku on Tokyo's outskirts after nearly nine months in the detention centre.

Bobby Fischer leaves the immigration detention centre in Ushiku on Tokyo's outskirts after nearly nine months in the detention centre.

9 of 10
The reclusive player - who had renounced his US citizenship - lived undetected in Japan for a number of years before moving to Iceland.

Bobby Fischer is seen in New York, in this April 28, 1962

Bobby Fischer is seen in New York, in this April 28, 1962

10 of 10
Mr Fischer died in Iceland on Thursday, his spokesman Gardar Sverrisson said.

E-mail this to a friend

Related to this story:
Bobby Fischer: Demise of a chess legend (24 Mar 05 | Americas )
Chess legend Fischer dies at 64 (18 Jan 08 | Americas )