Brin-Jonathan Butler

Brin-Jonathan Butler, an author and journalist known for his deep dives into the psychology of elite competitors, discusses the dark side of chess. He highlights how obsession leads players like Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen to sacrifice their humanity for greatness. Butler reveals the addictive nature of perfectionism in chess and the tragic stories of prodigies like Peter Winston. He explores violent metaphors within the chess community and parallels between chess and boxing, emphasizing the often devastating mental toll on top players.