The anti-hero

IT HAS been two weeks since the release of Bobby Fischer from a Japanese detention centre. 

The former world champion is now ensconced in Reykjavik, safe from the United States’ attempt to bring him back to New York to face federal charges of violating sanctions against Yugoslavia in 1992.

For the present, Fischer is out of bounds to the United States. The respite is temporary. But whether or not it will become permanent is unclear. The United States is still pursuing Fischer, this time for tax evasion, and the long arms of the American law may yet entangle him once again.

The United States and Iceland have an extradition treaty, meaning that one country may request the other country to arrest and deliver a person who is wanted for certain crimes. Already, Interpol is reported to have asked the Icelandic authorities to inform the United States of Fischer’s movements, especially if he should leave Iceland.

But according to the same news report, Iceland will choose to ignore Interpol’s request. As an Icelandic citizen, Fischer enjoys certain privileges or immunities and one of them is that Iceland is not bound to hand over one of their own citizens.

A senior Icelandic government source told Reuters it was "unthinkable" that Reykjavik would agree to the tip-off request. Iceland does not monitor its citizens, the source said.

Foreign Minister David Oddsson said Fischer would not be extradited. "We have always maintained that the decision to grant him Icelandic citizenship is based on humanitarian concerns," he told 

So as long as Fischer leaves out the rest of his days among his Icelandic neighbours, it will truly be a stalemate between him and the United States authorities.

Most Icelanders were rather happy to accept Fischer as their newest citizen although some did express concern about Fischer's continuing sharp barbs thrown at the U.S. government.

"I think he's a little bit crazy," said Runar Berg, an investment banker and recreational chess player. "Everyone has a right to his own opinion but sometimes it's better to say nothing than to say rubbish."

In the week that followed his release, Fischer told reporters that he was finished with a chess world that he regarded as corrupt. 

For a very long time, he has been alleging that the results of many top-level chess games and matches are decided in advance. Because of this, he said that the Icelanders’ enthusiasm for chess "was misplaced, because people don't know how utterly corrupt it is, and has been for many years."

"Just like when you go to watch a wrestling match, right? They are very good wrestlers but anybody with half a brain knows it's almost all prearranged."

"I don't play the old chess anymore," he said. "But obviously if I did, I would still be the best."

He said that he planned to concentrate on perfecting his concept of random chess, in which pieces along the back rank are shuffled at the beginning of each game in a bid to reinvigorate the game.

Fischer is credited with helping to fuel a passion for chess in Iceland through his historic match for the world chess title in 1972. Though Iceland has a population of less than 300,000 people, it has one of the highest per-capita rates of chess playing in the world.

UP NEXT

Klang Parade chess

The Malaysian Chess Federation and Klang Parade will jointly organize this year’s Klang Parade chess tournament in Klang at the end of this month. 

On Apr 23, the Klang Parade age-group chess tournament for under-12 and under-18 categories will be organized, while on Apr 24, the Klang Parade open tournament will be held.

Total cash prize is RM1500, and entry fees are RM15 for the open event and RM10 for under-12 players. Entry forms are available from the Kalng Parade information counter or downloaded from http://tcn.sf.net/downloads/klangp05.doc

For inquiries or registration, contact Greg Lau (tel: 012.9020123).

Royal Selangor open

The Chess Association of Selangor (CAS) will organize its 32nd edition of the Royal Selangor open chess tournament at the Wilayah Complex in Kuala Lumpur from Apr 28 to Jun 2. 

This year’s tournament will be played in three sections: a nine-round Fide-rated open category starting Apr 28, and the under-12 and under-18 seven-round non-Fide-rated events on Jun 1-2. 

Entry fees for the open event are RM35 for CAS members and Fide-rated players, and RM60 for others. For the two junior events, entry fees are RM15 for CAS members and RM20 for non-members.

For inquiries, call Shafruddin Arshad (tel: 012.3852420), Lim Tse Pin (tel: 012.2984922) or S Balendran (tel: 012.3547011) or email chessmate@cas.com.kg.

The Royal Selangor open is the longest running local chess tournament in Malaysia.

Perak tournament

The Perak International Chess Association (PICA) will organize an open chess event at the Tun Razak Library in Ipoh on Apr 24.

For inquiries on registration or entry fees, contact Yunus Sharif (05.5458453 or 013.3908129).