In 1971, Robert James Fischer (nicknamed Bobby) shocked the chess worl

In 1971, Robert James Fischer (nicknamed Bobby) shocked the chess world by winning 19 consecutive games against an extremely high level of competition. This feat has been compared to throwing back-toback no-hitters in major league baseball. During his peak playing period, from the mid 1960s into the early ’70s, players spoke of “Fischer Fever,” where they felt ill just having to play against him. Just as with José Rail Capablanca, Fischer had an aura of invincibility — which wasn’t far from the truth. Fischer was head and shoulders above the best players of his day.

His abrupt withdrawal from chess was tragic. Rumors of Fischer sightings were rampant, and the public was often tantalized by stories of his impending reemergence. Unfortunately, Fischer waited more than 20 years before playing in public again. His behavior, always intense, became increasingly odd over the years and prevented him from ever again competing at the highest level.

1. Which of the following most accurately describes the structure of the passage?

(A) The opening paragraph describes a person who was prominent in the world of chess, and the second paragraph describes some of his strategies in the game.
(B) The first paragraph is a description of Fischer’s physicality, while the second paragraph describes his emotional and mental characteristics.
(C) The first paragraph describes a problem Fischer faced, and the second provides further details about that problem.
(D) The first paragraph describes Fischer’s reputation, and the second describes his ultimate fate.
(E) The first paragraph describes Fischer’s prowess in chess at the height of his career, and the second paragraph describes the fall he experienced.


2. Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude toward the subject of the passage?

(A) He feels a deep sadness that Fischer was so unhinged by the events of his life.
(B) He finds Fischer’s ultimate fate tragic, but also finds fault with Fischer.
(C) He feels Fischer was overrated, and attempt to prove his opinion with facts.
(D) Fischer was a misunderstood genius who lacked for companionship, the author feels.
(E) The author thinks Fischer should have made more of an effort to curb his ego.


3. Which of the following statements most accurately describes a reasonable inference from the passage?

(A) Fischer could have benefitted from more intense therapy.
(B) Chess is best understood through metaphors from another sport, such as baseball.
(C) A man of Fischer’s talents is almost certain to face tragedy.
(D) José Rail Capablanca was also a successful chess player with a high degree of self-confidence.
(E) Chess is a very complicated game.


4. According to the passage, what would be a symptom of “Fischer Fever”?

(A) A temperature of over 100 degrees
(B) Inability to focus on playing the match
(C) Anxiety about playing a match against Fischer that was so extreme that it causes physical illness
(D) Viewers’ intense excitement at seeing Fischer play
(E) Forgetting the most basic rules of chess