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Waitzkin 
Photograph © 2004, courtesy of www.joshwaitzkin.com.  
Joshua Waitzkin
Number of games in database: 188
Years covered: 1985 to 1999
Current FIDE rating: 2464
Overall record: +59 -62 =67 (49.2%)*
   * Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games
      Based on games in the database; may be incomplete.

MOST PLAYED OPENINGS
With the White pieces:
 Sicilian (48) 
    B90 B50 B80 B47 B32
 Sicilian Najdorf (10) 
    B90 B91 B92 B93
 Ruy Lopez (8) 
    C69 C62 C90 C60 C68
 French Defense (8) 
    C01 C05 C10
 Pirc (6) 
    B07
 Giuoco Piano (6) 
    C50 C53
With the Black pieces:
 Sicilian (29) 
    B57 B67 B23 B56 B58
 Queen's Gambit Accepted (9) 
    D26 D20 D27 D28 D23
 Modern Benoni (7) 
    A57 A58 A67
 English, 1 c4 e5 (7) 
    A29 A20 A28
 Benko Gambit (6) 
    A57 A58
 Reti System (6) 
    A05 A04
Repertoire Explorer

NOTABLE GAMES: [what is this?]
   Waitzkin vs E Frumkin, 1987 1-0
   Waitzkin vs A Friedman, 1993 1-0
   Waitzkin vs G Shure, 1992 1-0
   Zsofia Polgar vs Waitzkin, 1995 0-1
   Kudrin vs Waitzkin, 1995 1/2-1/2
   J Sarwer vs Waitzkin, 1986 1/2-1/2
   Kasparov vs Waitzkin, 1988 1/2-1/2
   Waitzkin vs Palatnik, 1998 1-0
   Waitzkin vs Kaidanov, 1995 1-0

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JOSHUA WAITZKIN
(born Dec-04-1976) United States of America

[what is this?]
Joshua Waitzkin was born December 4, 1976, in New York City, and won the U.S. Junior Chess championship in 1993 and 1994. He learned chess by watching the people in Washington Square Park play at the age of six. At the age of 16 he became an international master.

Waitzkin is the subject of a major motion picture, "Searching for Bobby Fischer", a movie based on the book "Searching for Bobby Fischer: The Father of a Prodigy Observes the World of Chess", by his father, Fred Waitzkin. This movie was directed by Steven Zaillian.


 page 1 of 8; games 1-25 of 188  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves Year Event/LocaleOpening
1. Waitzkin vs J Sarwer 0-143 1985 US Primary ChampionshipA05 Reti Opening
2. J Sarwer vs Waitzkin ½-½63 1986 US Primary ChampionshipE76 King's Indian, Four Pawns Attack
3. Waitzkin vs E Frumkin 1-031 1987 OpenB40 Sicilian
4. Kasparov vs Waitzkin ½-½28 1988 New York SimA67 Benoni, Taimanov Variation
5. J Benjamin vs Waitzkin 1-038 1991 It (open)A57 Benko Gambit
6. E Moskow vs Waitzkin  ½-½17 1992 MCC/ACF Intl New YorkA05 Reti Opening
7. J Bonin vs Waitzkin  ½-½25 1992 MCC/ACF Intl New YorE10 Queen's Pawn Game
8. Chabanon vs Waitzkin  ½-½34 1992 OakhamA57 Benko Gambit
9. Waitzkin vs S Cullip ½-½58 1992 OakhamB43 Sicilian, Kan, 5.Nc3
10. Waitzkin vs G Shure 1-057 1992 MCC/ACF Intl New YorkB39 Sicilian, Accelerated Fianchetto, Breyer Variation
11. Waitzkin vs M Gatlin 1-033 1992 US Am Team ChC26 Vienna
12. Waitzkin vs Yermolinsky  0-147 1992 It (open)B67 Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer Attack, 7...a6 Defense, 8...Bd7
13. D Edelman vs Waitzkin 1-068 1992 MCC/ACF Intl New YorkB56 Sicilian
14. Waitzkin vs Kulaots  0-128 1992 Duisburg Wch U16mB24 Sicilian, Closed
15. Waitzkin vs Shabalov 0-122 1992 New YorkC05 French, Tarrasch
16. Waitzkin vs M Jirovsky 0-127 1992 OakhamB76 Sicilian, Dragon, Yugoslav Attack
17. D Martinidesz vs Waitzkin  ½-½46 1992 OakhamB57 Sicilian
18. Waitzkin vs N Vulicevic 1-046 1992 Marshall CCB00 Uncommon King's Pawn Opening
19. Waitzkin vs M Piper 1-070 1992 OakhamC69 Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 6.d4
20. Waitzkin vs N Vulicevic 1-044 1992 MCC/ACF Intl New YorkB07 Pirc
21. I Ibragimov vs Waitzkin  ½-½43 1992 MCC/ACF Intl New YorkA31 English, Symmetrical, Benoni Formation
22. Waitzkin vs A Webster  0-154 1992 OakhamB06 Robatsch
23. E Teodoro vs Waitzkin  0-147 1992 Enhance InternationalB58 Sicilian
24. Taimanov vs Waitzkin 1-061 1992 Enhance-MarshallA05 Reti Opening
25. Waitzkin vs R Livshits  0-142 1992 OakhamB80 Sicilian, Scheveningen
 page 1 of 8; games 1-25 of 188  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2) | Waitzkin wins | Waitzkin loses  
 

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 17 OF 17 ·  Later Kibitzing >
Dec-24-07   Riverbeast: <If it was just a special kind of humour then, well, it was still pretty sad to see.>

There are things you say that I find sad, Acirce, but I don't mention them unless I'm attacked first. Like when you called me a "shameless liar" out of the blue... Stop hating.

I treat everyone with respect, unless they don't show me respect. Then I have to b-slap them (a la MichAdams, who started the cycle with several racist, insulting posts).

But since you probably agree with what MichAdams said about Americans, Jews, Hispanics, and other ethnic groups, you didn't find his posts 'sad'.

And that, Acirce, I find sad.

(P.S. Happy holidays to all)

Jan-29-08   jovack: He has many entertaining games. If the players ever read their wall, I would suggest he try Chess960. A player like him would do well I think.

And what's with all the pointless flame war politics going on? People are ridiculous.

Jan-29-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Tomlinsky: On the back of SFBF the myth that Waitzkin was some kind of prodigy and anything more than a reasonably competent, not even outstanding really, master level player will continue for deacades.

Ironically, a true prodigy, mentioned in the movie title, gave up the game having actually achieved excellence within the field whereas Waitzkin gave it up presenting the idea that he was somehow on a similar path. A prodigy? Not even close. Self-publicist? Top marks.

Jan-29-08   Riverbeast: <A prodigy? Not even close. Self-publicist? Top marks.>

We've already discussed this in earlier posts. Waitzkin was a talented junior player, not a prodigy.

Don't blame Josh Waitzkin for this...He didn't promote himself. His father wrote the book about him. And I don't think Josh ever claimed to be a prodigy. That label was placed on the cover of the book by the publishers, probably just to sell books: Most of them know little about chess, and would probably call any kid who checkmated them with the Scholar's Mate a 'prodigy'.

<a reasonably competent, not even outstanding really, master level player will continue for deacades.>

I don't know how fair this is. Josh was an IM at sixteen, and won the US Junior Championship twice. That makes him more than a 'reasonably competent master level player'.

I find a lot of people bash Josh Waitzkin unnecessarily. The only explanation I can find is jealousy. The fact is, Josh was a nice kid who made something good out of his life, and all these people who have accomplished much less in life want to tear him down.

The movie SFBF was good for chess in general - it made a lot of parents around the US want to sign their kids up for chess lessons, and made chess teaching a worthwhile profession where someone could actually make a living.

Chessplayers should be grateful for the impact that film had in promoting chess among the general public, instead of bashing Josh Waitzkin out or jealousy and resentment.

Jan-29-08   MichAdams: Waitzkin was, as I've said, a prodigy, albeit an American one.

We have to recognise that chess amongst homegrown European-Americans is in a truly parlous state. Maybe this <Sugar Ray Robson> kid will prove to be a diamond in the dirt.

Jan-29-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Tomlinsky: <Riverbeast: The only explanation I can find is jealousy.>

Well I did post the explanation and it has nothing to do with Jealousy or resentment. I just think that the guy is way over-rated. Nothing sinister or complex.

Jan-29-08   Riverbeast: <Waitzkin was, as I've said, a prodigy, albeit an American one.>

A repeat of the ridiculous comment you made before. Can't you find new idiotic statements, instead of repeating old ones?

I used to think willful stupidity was one of the worst traits a human being could reveal. Now you've shown me the light...It'a possible to be willfully stupid AND redundant (though the two traits are most likely related)

<Well I did post the explanation and it has nothing to do with Jealousy or resentment. I just think that the guy is way over-rated. >

He's probably a better player than you.

You also wouldn't be saying anything about him being 'over-rated' if a book and a movie hadn't been made about him. So you probably feel like the attention wasn't 'deserved'.

Jan-29-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Tomlinsky: <Riverbeast: He's probably a better player than you.>

Probably. And?

<You also wouldn't be saying anything about him being 'over-rated' if a book and a movie hadn't been made about him. So you probably feel like the attention wasn't 'deserved'.>

Right. Well thank you for your valued insight and analysis into the exact why's and wherefore's of my opinion. I feel so much better now knowing their apparent deep seated roots. CG provides free counselling now as well. Excellent value!

Jan-29-08   DarthStapler: [quote]You also wouldn't be saying anything about him being 'over-rated' if a book and a movie hadn't been made about him.[/quote]

Isn't that exactly the reason why he's overrated?

Jan-29-08   Riverbeast: <Isn't that exactly the reason why he's overrated?>

No...because the book and the film was a look at the chess world in general, and the story of a kid who played chess - a story which captivated a lot of people.

The book was not published, and the film was not produced, because Waitzkin was the best or most talented player around. This is something a lot of people just don't get.

Jan-29-08   Petrosianic: <riverbeast> <I find a lot of people bash Josh Waitzkin unnecessarily. The only explanation I can find is jealousy.>

So, in your experience, all IM's and/or Junior Champions get bashed a lot? If not, that theory doesn't really fit the facts.

You hit on the real reason and then promptly forgot it.

Jan-29-08   VinnyRoo2002: Come on now Petrosianic, have all IM's and/or Junior Champions had movies made about their chess abilities? Waitzkin is infinitely more known than the average IM or Junior Champion and hence why people are jealous of him. I think it has a lot to do with how much press he has gotten while stronger players have not gotten nearly the recognition. I for one could care less because if Fred Waitzkin could market a book about his son and turn it into an interesting enough story for a studio to turn it into a film which many people enjoyed, then he deserves the recognition.
Jan-29-08   Riverbeast: <So, in your experience, all IM's and/or Junior Champions get bashed a lot? If not, that theory doesn't really fit the facts.>

I don't know what you're talking about...You seem to be arguing with yourself.

I didn't say ALL IM's and junior champions get bashed a lot, I said Waitzkin in particular. And I think jealousy re: the movie, and his fame, has a lot to do with it.

Jan-29-08   blacksburg: waitzkin was never world class, and he could never have challenged kasparov or anand, but it would be silly for me to criticize him for this. he was a stronger player as a teenager than i will ever be in my life.

i would like to say this though - waitzkin's commentary on the Chessmaster program was very helpful to me and i appreciate his contribution.

kramnik, for example, might wipe the floor with waitzkin, but waitzkin has contributed more to my understanding of chess through his commentaries than kramnik ever will, unless he decides to start writing.

the ultimate responsibility of a chess player, aside from winning games, is to bring outsiders into the fold, to spread the enjoyment of chess to more people around the world. for this reason, i value waitzkin's contributions to chess much more than kramniks, even if waitzkin was never a world champ.

Jan-29-08   Petrosianic: <I don't know what you're talking about...You seem to be arguing with yourself.>

LOL. It's always funny when people don't realize the implications of their own words.

<And I think jealousy re: the movie, and his fame, has a lot to do with it.>

There you go, you're getting warmer again.

His fame is one reason, right. The fact that you referenced earlier, that his dad's book describes him as a prodigy when he really isn't, that's another reason, and tied to the first one. The misapplied "Prodigy" label makes people perceive him as over-rated. And probably a third reason is the title of the book. It might as well be called "Bobby Fischer, Though He Has Nothing To Do With This Book, Is Mentioned In the Title Because We Thought It Might Make More Of You Rubes Buy It Just For That Reason". It comes across as vaguely insulting to the buyer's intelligence somehow.

Jan-30-08   VinnyRoo2002: Searching for Bobby Fischer has two meanings. The literal one where they try to find Bobby Fischer which is actually an interesting sub-plot in the movie and not some tacked on storyline just to include Fischer's name in the title and have more viewers. The other meaning is searching for the next Bobby Fischer. That's why the title is appropriate to Waitzkin and his quest to be the next world champion even if that was and is an unrealistic goal.
Jan-30-08   Petrosianic: <The literal one where they try to find Bobby Fischer which is actually an interesting sub-plot in the movie and not some tacked on storyline just to include Fischer's name in the title>

I haven't read the book, and I only saw the movie once. But my recollection from thumbing through the book is that "Searching For Bobby Fischer" is the last chapter in the book, and looked like a collection of Fischer rumors superfluous to the main story (mind you, I developed that opinion not from reading the book, but from just thumbing through it in a bookstore once).

<The other meaning is searching for the next Bobby Fischer.>

Yes, and I think that's another reason why Waitzkin gets heat. That meaning, combined with the unfortunate label "Prodigy", which the publishers stuck on, may lead the casual listener to think that the book is saying "America is looking for the next Bobby Fischer, and here he is: My son Josh!"

Of course I'm sure the book isn't saying that, but if that's what people think, that's the way they'll react. So, rather than jealousy, I think that the backlash against Waitzkin is the result of some bad marketing decisons.

Jan-30-08   Riverbeast: <So, rather than jealousy, I think that the backlash against Waitzkin is the result of some bad marketing decisons.>

I know Josh Waitzkin, and I know many of the players in NYC who resented him ("I'm a better player, and nobody made a movie about me!")

Trust me, jealousy has a lot to do with it.

Your other points, about bad marketing decisions, is just a repeat of what I said earlier.

People have to understand that to many people who don't play chess, Josh was a prodigy of a sort. He was the highest rated player in the US at his age.

Chessplayers use the word 'prodigy' much more sparingly and selectively than non-chessplayers.

Jan-30-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  benjinathan: <Chessplayers use the word 'prodigy' much more sparingly and selectively than non-chessplayers.>

I agree. This seems like terrible hairsplitting. He was as a kid, a very good chessplayer for his age. Some would say he was a prodigy. Some might not. Who cares. The movie was enjoyable.

I wonder, though, if the resentment towards him has everything to do with jealousy. I wonder if people resent him because he quit (not wanting to spend 12 hours a day for the possibility of the privledge of spending 2 weeks competing for a top prize of 10,000 Euros). He had talent (how much is open for debate) and he gave up the game that so many on this site love.

This I don't get:

<I just think that the guy is way over-rated>

Overrated by whom? Chessplayers know how good he was. Nobody else has ever heard of him.

Jan-30-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Red October: nice pic <chessgames.com>
Jan-30-08   arsen387: I've learned playing chess due to "Josh Waitzkin's Academy" section in Chessmaster10 where he expains principles of chess from novice to (almost) professional. Thanks to Josh.
Feb-05-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  tpstar: *SPOILER ALERT*

OK, I just saw SFBF for the first time, and it was cute - not spectacular, not life-changing, but cute. The best part was how the chess content was factually correct (compared to typical pop culture references), and it was quite compelling to watch his progression and improvement through his father's eyes. All of the characters were recognizable (loved the cameos), and even the key combination at the climax was believable (Both Sides Queen + Skewer). The worst parts were their protracted conversation OTB during the big game (totally fake), nobody shaking hands or taking notation for major events, and their strange pronunciation of "patzer" as "potzer" (like Pottsie from "Happy Days") which might be correct for all I know. From a filmmaking perspective, the pace was not only slow but plodding (I daresay unbearably plodding) and could easily turn off non-chessplayers long before the movie ended.

I sensed the father slyly included several stock stereotypes of other parents just to make himself look good: overbearing, must-win, nervous to the point of psychotic, signalling, fighting, living vicariously through their child, etc. It was somewhat implausible how a sports reporter could afford $60/hour for his son to play "Clue" in his room, and parts of those "lessons" were hardly productive (master points?!). Presumably Bruce Pandolfini was fully aware of his portrayal, which didn't at all match the kind gentle encouraging patron displayed in his writings. Instead this "teacher" was an oddball stalker who showed up at the strangest times in the strangest places just to say something profound. The child acting was very good overall, although the main character overdid his "spaced out eyes" look too often.

Frankly the highlight was the Fischer documentary material which I could watch for hours, especially after his death. I totally disagree with "not some tacked on storyline" as it was clearly some tacked on storyline. I can see how Bobby Fischer would object to people using his name like that (and profiting like that), even though it was a grand compliment.

Finally, I believe Josh Waitzkin deserves some of the blame for his "prodigy" label as he does call himself "Eight Time National Champion" which might be true for scholastics but hardly correct for the real US Championship. Reading those credentials, anyone would seriously wonder why he would ever give up chess.

Apr-23-08   BIDMONFA: Joshua Waitzkin

WAITZKIN, Joshua
http://www.bidmonfa.com/waitzkin_jo...
_

Apr-23-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  MaxxLange: <tpstar> the Fischer stuff seemed just as tacked on in the book. Basically, there's a chapter in the middle where Fred Waitzkin recounts his fruitless efforts to locate and interview RJF. Then he gets back to the story of his son's experiences playing chess, which is what the book is about.

It's a good read, and the film was way better than I expected. It was cast well, for one thing.

Apr-23-08   Granny O Doul: <tpstar> Yes, it is pronounced "potzer"; at least, I have never heard it pronounced otherwise.

Extending the hand to offer a draw (rather than to resign) unfortunately seems to have caught on some. Mostly with little kids, but I once saw an experienced adult rated over 2000 do it (he said he was inspired by the movie).

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