Chess - The Scotsman 12/10/12

WHILE everyone marvels at Magnus Carlsen’s comeback in the Sao Paulo/Bilbao Grand Slam final, the world No 1‘s two-game winning streak to jump into the joint lead is nothing compared to the record set by Bobby Fischer, achieved en route to his showdown 40 years ago k with Boris Spassky in Reykjavik.

In a show of complete dominance, the likes of which has never seen before or since, Fischer scored the game’s ultimate hot streak by defeating 20 grandmasters in a row.

It began at the 1970 Interzonal in Palma de Mallorca, the first rung in the world championship cycle, a competition comprising the best players from the major zones of the world. Undefeated, he finished 3.5 points ahead of his nearest rival.