The Revolutionary Collaboration Between Bobby Fischer and Susan Polgar: A Budapest Tale

The story of Bobby Fischer and Susan Polgar’s unlikely friendship and collaboration in the world of chess has come to light in Polgar’s newly released memoir, Rebel Queen. The book reveals how Polgar convinced Fischer to move to Budapest, where they would work together on the revolutionary format known as Fischer Random or Chess960.

Polgar recounts how she first met Fischer, who was in hiding after his match with Boris Spassky, in a small town near the Hungarian-Yugoslav border. Despite the risks involved, Polgar persuaded Fischer to move to Budapest, where he would have more freedom and opportunities to explore his passion for chess.

Their collaboration on Fischer Random was groundbreaking, with Polgar helping to finalize the rules of the game and experimenting with different variations. Fischer’s goal was to create a chess variant that would eliminate the need for extensive opening theories, allowing players to rely more on their strategic thinking and intellect.

The two chess legends worked tirelessly to refine the rules of Chess960, eventually settling on a format that would become a popular alternative to traditional chess. Polgar’s deep interest in endgames and Fischer’s innovative ideas led to the creation of a game that continues to be played and celebrated by chess enthusiasts around the world.

The story of Fischer and Polgar’s friendship and collaboration is a testament to the power of chess to bring people together and inspire creativity and innovation in the game. Their legacy lives on in the continued popularity of Chess960 and the impact they have had on the world of chess.