meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Perpetual Chess Podcast

EP 281- Dr. Stuart Margulies tells the story behind the classic, best-selling book, Bobby Fischer Teacher Chess

Perpetual Chess Podcast

Perpetual Chess LLC

Sports, Leisure, Hobbies

4.8 • 678 Ratings

🗓️ 31 May 2022

⏱️ 84 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week on Perpetual Chess we are joined by Dr. Stuart Margulies, the co-author of the legendary, best-selling chess book, Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess. First published in 1966, and written along with Donn Mosenfelder and Fischer himself, this book has sold more than 1.25 million copies, and many believe it to be the best selling chess book of all time! Dr. Margulies tells the story of the modest beginnings of the book, and of his first and subsequent encounters with his fellow New Yorker, Bobby Fischer. Stuart is 89 years of age, but has vivid memories of Fischer and many other key New York City chess figures. Stuart worked as an educational psychologist, and also shares his take on the whether playing chess can positively impact reading scores, a subject about which he wrote a paper in the 1990s. It was so much fun to hear Stuart’s reflections on his life in chess! More details and timestamps can be found below.  0:00- Stuart shares his earliest first-hand memories of Bobby Fischer Mentioned: Alan Kaufman, Jack Collins, FM Asa Hoffman  0:08- We discuss the origins of Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess Mentioned: Donn Mosenfelder, Leslie Ault, IM Raymond Weinstein, IM Michael Valvo, Shelby Lyman, Episode 250 with FM Asa Hoffman  16:30- Perpetual Chess is brought to you by Chessable.com. Check out their latest offerings here: New Chess Courses Online - For All Levels - Chessable.com 17:00- We discuss more about the history of Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, including the origins of its title.  Mentioned: Dr. Frank Brady, Fischer-Larsen 1958 28:00- Stuart discusses the one time he beat Fischer in a casual game, and shares more about his personal interactions with Fischer.  Mentioned: The Kevitz defense, Shernaz Kennady 44:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. 45:00- Patreon mailbag question: How did Margulies and his collaborators decide to use a format that had no chess notation?  Mentioned: Secrets of Spectacular Chess  50:00- Stuart discusses his own, and others people’s research into the effect of chess instruction on kids’ reading scores.  Mentioned: Margulies’ Whitepaper: The Effect of Chess on Reading Scores, WGM Tatev Abrahamyan, GM Levon Aronian  58:00- Stuart describes his encounters with GM Nicolas Rossolimo and a young GM Judit Polgar  Mentioned: FM Jude Acers, Abraham Kupchik, Irving Chernev, Al Horowitz, Fred Reinfeld  1:07:00- What was the motivation for writing Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess? 1:13:00- As such a sharp 89 year old, does Stuart have any mental and physical health tips?  Mentioned: New in Chess Magazine, GM Genna Sosonko’s books , A Change of Air by Ivan Gold can be found the compilation Nickel Miseries, Endgame by Dr. Frank Brady   1:21:00- Thanks so much to Stuart for joining the show!  If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here: Donate — The Perpetual Chess Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Adobe Express is the quick and easy Create Anything app.

0:05.0

It has taken my content to the next level, making it simple to create everything I need to promote my business.

0:11.0

From Instagram and TikTok posts to logos and flyers, all in just a few clicks.

0:17.0

Build your brand with Adobe Express.

0:20.0

Search for Adobe Express to find out more and get the app for free.

0:23.9

Adobe Express, the quick and easy create anything app.

0:29.9

Hi, I'm here for the interview.

0:31.9

Ah, now, this would be the pre-pre-interview.

0:34.8

I'm sorry?

0:35.7

You see, we need to make sure we have the right candidates to take part in the next stages. Oh, how many stages? Well, there's the pre-interview. I'm sorry? You see, we need to make sure we have the right candidates to take part in the next stages.

0:39.3

Oh, how many stages?

0:40.3

Well, there's the pre-interview, working chemistry, the actual interview, and then of course the bleep test.

0:45.3

For the part-time barista, John?

0:47.3

That's right, yeah.

0:48.3

What a load of malarkey.

0:50.3

Smarty keeps things simple, like 80 gigabytes for 10 pounds a month with no annual price rises.

0:56.3

Less malarkey, more Smarty.

0:58.4

Search Smarty Mobile.

1:00.0

The autopilot order.

1:01.6

Now, informal.

1:02.8

The strong urge felt at the ordering kiosk or drive-through that takes over the entire body and mind

1:07.7

and results in a person ordering a Big Mac without even having to think. Related

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Perpetual Chess LLC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Perpetual Chess LLC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.