Bruce Pandolfini

Inducted 2025 1947 -

United States of America

Biography

Bruce Pandolfini has played a key role in the development of American chess culture. He began his career as an analyst for PBS, covering the 1972 Fischer-Spassky World Championship Match, and soon became a full-time chess coach. A columnist for Chess Life magazine since 1979 and author of more than 30 books on chess, Pandolfini merges chess, strategy, and art in his writing. He has popularized chess in various media, including the 1993 film Searching for Bobby Fischer, where he was portrayed by Ben Kingsley, and the 2020 Netflix miniseries The Queen’s Gambit, which drew in millions of new fans worldwide. One of America’s most experienced chess teachers, in 1986 Pandolfini and Faneuil Adams co-founded Chess in the Schools. Among his celebrated students are Fabiano Caruana and Josh Waitzkin.