Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer has appealed Japanese plans to deport him to the United States and hopes to find political asylum in a third country, a friends said Wednesday. Fischer was detained by Japanese immigration officials last week after trying to leave the country for the Philippines. Officials say his passport was invalid, and on Tuesday confirmed that he was being processed for deportation. Fischer is wanted in the United States for playing a rematch against Soviet world champion Boris Spassky in Yugoslavia in 1992. Yugoslavia was under international sanctions at the time, and U.S. citizens were banned from doing business there. After visiting Fischer in custody at Tokyo's Narita Airport, Miyoko Watai, of the Japan Chess Association, said Wednesday Fischer was appealing the deportation. Watai, a longtime friend of Fischer's, said he was also hoping to find political asylum in a third country. She refused to provide any further details, however.
| They could send him to North Korea in "exchange" for the deserter. My advice to Bobby: if Kimmie challenges you to a chess match, lose. Quickly. |
| Proves my grandaddy's contention that even when you win, you can still be a loser. |
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