The Real Bobby Fischer

As noted by the venerable Fischer biographer Dr. Frank Brady in his Foreword to the book:

"…[T]he result is a lively reading experience through the authentic dialog captured by the author. [Fischer] would spend a year in the city of Wiesbaden and mostly in the little town of Seeheim, [the author’s] long-term residence. During this time as constant companions they spent almost every day together.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the book are the glimpses into the continuous intransigence shown by Bobby concerning matters of deep import to him…The dialog in this book rings true simply because it is authentically chronicled by Petra…"

Petra Dautov (née Stadler;1961-2020) was a German club player and played in a few open tournaments in Hungary. But she found it much more fun to spectate, which is why she was a regular visitor to major chess tournaments. She was also a close personal friend of many members of the chess elite at that time. She first met Bobby Fischer in 1988 and a close friendship developed. This is her story.

This book is an unabridged translation of the original German edition (1995) of "Bobby Fischer ̶ wie er wirklich ist ̶ Ein Jahr mit dem Schachgenie."