Endgame
Page 45
4 about thirty-five miles north of Budapest, in the verdant Danube Bend section of the Slavic Hills of Hungary “Seeking the Fischer King,” New York Daily News, August 22, 1993.
5 All of the sisters played chess with him, but acceding to his preference, they played Fischer Random Gligoric, Shall We Play, p. 86.
6 Zsuzsa played him “countless games” Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by author, May 2009, Princeton, NJ.
7 “I tried to convince him in the beginning about the realities” Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by author, May 23, 2009, Princeton, NJ.
8 “He was like a big kid,” Zsuzsa fondly remembered Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by author, May 2009, Princeton, NJ.
9 Even after living there for years, he referred to himself as a “tourist” Calypso Radio interview of Bobby Fischer, January 13, 1999.
10 Although Olga was almost the same age as Bobby Interview of Olga Lilienthal by Dmitry Komarov, circa 2008, letter courtesy of Magnus Skulasson.
11 “You are a good man, a good person, so you are not a Jew.” Farkasházy, p. 97.
12 Andrei had surreptitiously taken a photograph of Bobby at a New Year’s Eve dinner party Interview of Pal Benko by author, May 2010, New York.
13 He relayed a message to Lilienthal that he’d deliver the $100,000 in American cash to Bobby personally Interview of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov by author, August 2002, Cherry Hill, NJ.
14 “I was struck by how Fischer was up on everything that was happening in our country.” Vladimir Linder and Isaac Linder, “From Morphy to Fischer—Who’s Next?” Unpublished essay, Russia, no year.
15 Ilyumzhinov suggested that Bobby move to Kalmykia Interview of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov by author, August 2002, New York.
16 Bobby thanked the president and asked about Kalmykia’s medical care program Sports Express, December 20, 1995.
17 Ilyumzhinov also offered to put up millions for another Fischer-Spassky match Kasparov, p. 489.
18 “The old Jewish scoundrel Andrei Lilienthal” From a book in progress by Bobby Fischer, What Can You Expect from Baby Mutilators? November 18, 1997. Extracts appeared in DeLucia and DeLucia, pp 248–61.
19 Incredulous, Bobby asked Sofia: “How can you even talk to those people?” Farkasházy, p. 269.
20 When Zita told her mother what he’d said Farkasházy, p. 135 ff.
21 “Single, tall, rich, handsome, middle-aged American man” DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 236.
22 Once, when coming home late at night from an event Farkasházy, p. 375.
23 To Kaltenbrunner the fact that the great Bobby Fischer was gracing his home Farkasházy, pp. 382–85.
24 The film grossed more than $7 million and was nominated for an Academy Award Internet Movie Database, imdb.com.
25 It’s “a monumental swindle” “Bobby Fischer Moves to a Satisfying Peace,” Chicago Sun-Times, September 26, 1993.
26 Bobby felt safe enough to travel and eventually went to many countries Interview of Pal Benko by author, April 2010, New York.
27 Mysteriously, he also journeyed to Italy to meet a member of the Mafia Farkasházy, p. 198.
28 Some chess players in the state of Washington conjectured that he surreptitiously entered the United States Chess, January 2001, p. 8.
29 Sometimes he’d vary his routine and go on long walks Chicago Sun-Times, September 26, 1993.
30 Ellsworth actually realized his error in time to attend the auction and buy back $8,000 worth of the material Böhm and Jongkind, p. 65.
31 He just wouldn’t let it rest Bobby Fischer live radio interviews, http://bobbyfischerpage.tripod.com.
32 One psychiatrist, Dr. Magnus Skulasson, who knew Bobby well toward the end of his life Interview of Dr. Magnus Skulasson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
33 Saidy added that the media were exploitative in publishing the most hideous of Bobby’s statements CL, June 1999, letter to Larry Evans in Evans on Chess.
34 He lambasted Saidy for living in the United States Extract from Bobby Fischer’s diary, August 5, 1999, in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 285.
35 Bobby and Miyoko, both in their late fifties, lived a quiet life http://www.anusha.com/paf690.htm.
36 One of his friends who observed them together said that he treated little Jinky with affection Interview with Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
37 “Yes, well, this is all wonderful news” Interview of Bobby Fischer on Radio Baguio, September 11, 2001.
Chapter 14: Arrest and Rescue
1 He wanted the world to know about his devestating loss DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 275.
2 brought renewed scrutiny by the United States government NYT, July 17, 2004, p. A1.
3 twenty-four new pages perfectly sewn in http://www.canoe.ca/newsstand/columnists/ottawa.
4 It was dated December 11, 2003 Letter on “Embassy of the United States of America—Manila, Philippines” stationery, dated December 11, 2003, to Robert James Fischer, signed by Theodore Allegra, Consul of the U.S.A., FB.
5 being that the embassy had never sent the letter to Bern Chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=1852.
6 “He was so upset, and I didn’t know what to say” Interview of Miyoko Watai by Ev Mafurji on chessbase.com, January 9, 2004.
7 Miyoko, for her part, thought that U.S. authorities could have arrested Bobby anytime AP wire story (Tokyo), July 18, 2004.
8 Another time, he purposely stepped on the glasses of a guard Interview of Saemi Palsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
9 Fischer called it a “kidnapping” Quoted in network news footage, March 24, 2005.
10 He also wrote to Secretary of State Colin Powell AP wire story (Asia), August 17, 2004.
11 “permanently renounce my U.S. citizenship.” Bloomberg News Service. August 6, 2004.
12 Bobby’s plea was based on his paternity http://21-1-TW. Facebook.
13 North Korea … Libya … Iran … Montenegro … The Philippines Undated e-mail from Miyoko Watai to Pal Benko, circa spring 2005 in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 304.
14 Venezuela … Switzerland. “Freeing Bobby Fischer,” a report by Einar S. Einarsson, June 6, 2008, FB.
15 he’d become part of the Icelandic sagas NYT, (London), January 28, 2005, p. A7.
16 “Saemi, this is Bobby.” From the film Me and Bobby Fischer, 2009.
17 He was on a plane to the East Interview of Saemi Palsson by author, October 7, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
18 To not help them, they believed “Freeing Bobby Fischer,” a report by Einar S. Einarsson, June 6, 2008, FB.
19 they began lobbying the Icelandic government Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 8, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
20 “We feel obliged to express our deepest dismay” Letter of March 15, 2005, by the RJF Committee, FB.
21 “the whole country has no culture, no taste” Interview of Bobby Fischer on Bombo Radyo, August 12, 2004.
22 Fischer then announced that he was going to marry AP wire story (Asia), August 17, 2004.
23 “a pawn can become a queen.” NYT, August 20, 2004, p. A5.
24 “I’d rather not say” Associated Press, December 4, 2006.
25 “It was already a de-facto marriage.” NYT, August 20, 2004, p. A5.
26 “We had been satisfied with our life before he was detained” Interview of Miyoko Watai by Ev Mafurji on chessbase.com, January 9, 2004.
27 After months behind bars http://www.channelnewasia.com.
28 Honorable Members of Althingi From Bobby Fischer, January 19, 2005. FB.
29 These calls to Gardar Interview of Gardar Sverisson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
30 Bobby read some of the book Letter from Richard Vattuone to author, January 2010.
31 Fukushima criticized Chieko Nohno “Freeing Bobby Fischer,” a report by Einar S. Einarsson, June 6, 2008, FB.
32 warning that if action weren’t taken quickly E-mail exchange between Einar Einarsson and John Bosnitch, March 21, 20
05, FB.
33 “When the leader of a country” Interview of David Oddsson by author, October 10, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
34 A federal grand jury in Washington AP wire story (Philadelphia), March 8, 2005.
35 suggesting that Iceland drop the offer of sanctuary Japan Times, December 23, 2004.
36 Fischer’s alleged crime of a violation of trade sanctions Ibid.
37 “The Immigration Bureau must think” Mainichi Daily News, March 22, 2005.
38 polled on whether to grant Fischer permanent citizenship Act Respecting the Granting of Citizenship, no. 16/2005, FB.
39 a limousine supplied by the Icelandic embassy AP wire story, March 23, 2005.
40 This was nothing but a kidnapping” Watching America website, and various network sources. March 24, 2005, FB.
41 “It is not his beard” Interview with Zita Farkasházy by Tivadar Farkasházy; Bobby Visszater, p. 369.
Chapter 15: Living and Dying in Iceland
A great amount of the source material for this chapter consisted of face-to-face interviews, telephone conversations, and correspondence with many Icelanders who knew Bobby Fischer during his residence in Reykjavik (2005–2008) and in 1972, and who were instrumental in freeing him from imprisonment in Japan. Additionally, correspondence with Bobby’s lawyers resulted in the clarification of important information. Examination of documents and correspondence concerning his detention and the ultimate granting of his Icelandic citizenship also provided new facts.
1 blue denim work shirt and pants AFP (Reykjavik), January 19, 2008.
2 As for what people thought about his dress Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
3 he gave it as a gift to his new friend Ibid.
4 “Fischer came close to being a moron” Skeptical Inquirer, Vol. 33–5, September/October 2009.
5 and sometimes even falling asleep Interview of Bragi Kristjonsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
6 “It’s good to be free” E-mail to Pal Benko from Bobby Fischer, April 20, 2006, in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 305.
7 he pored over books on battles from ancient Greece to World War II Interview of Einer Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
8 “This is absulutely vicious, illegal and unfair” Morgunbladid, July 29, 2005.
9 exchange of long, technical e-mails with UBS Interview with Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
10 So he lost Letter from UBS, “Termination Business Relationship Account,” July 22, 2005, FB.
11 UBS liquidated all of his assets Bank transfer statements from UBS to Landsbanki, various dates, May–August 2005, FB.
12 speculated that he was somehow prescient Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
13 deep, serious study of history, philosophy, and other topics Iceland Review, February 2008, p. 41.
14 Bókin reminded him of Dr. Albrecht Buschke’s chess bookstore The Smart Set, by Sara Blask, March 28, 2008.
15 Finally, he said he’d work for nothing Interview of Bragi Kristjonsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
16 “You know, the fairy tale and the Brothers Grimm” Interview of store clerk in Yggdrasil by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
17 Bobby answered in his typical Calvin Coolidge style Telephone interview of Helgi Olaffson by author, October 8, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
18 Sonja gently asked if he’d pose for a photo Interview of “Sonja” by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
19 “Gee, they didn’t know who I was” Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
20 “as Fischer probably feels trapped in Iceland” Interview of David Oddsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
21 Iceland was a “prison” Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 9, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
22 flagged to be arrested at any one of 368 airports Interview of Bragi Kristjonsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
23 “Eating was very important to him” Interview of Zsuzsa Polgar by author, May 2009, Princeton, NJ.
24 Bobby grimaced and agreed not to buy it Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
25 “They were in love and showed it in many small ways” Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
26 “But he also liked to study people when he was riding.” Ibid.
27 the driver keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 2009.
28 It became clear, however, that Titomirov had no interest. E-mails from Joel Lautier, May 27, 2005, and Dr. Alex Titomirov, May 27, 2005, to Einar Einarsson, FB.
29 announced prize fund was $14 million Undated five-page proposal, “Gothic Chess Match: The Clash of the Chess Legends,” FB.
30 “These games are fake!” Me and Bobby Fischer, 2009.
31 “Perhaps Fischer’s ascent to world champion was part of some conspiracy” Mark Segal, “Chess, Chance and Conspiracy,” Statistical Science 22, no. 1, 2007, pp. 98–108.
32 Bobby began finding fault Observer (London), February 10, 2008.
33 for the months of bodyguard work. Interview of Saemi Palsson by author, October 2009.
34 “This is a film that is supposed to be about my kidnapping” Interview with Saemi Palsson by author, October 7, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
35 “I am Bobby Fischer!” Ibid.
36 “This film is about the atom bomb.” Letter from Fridrik Gudmundsson to Bobby Fischer, January 28, 2007, FB.
37 Mr. Fischer wishes the group to draw attention Press release issued by the RJF committee, May 4, 2007.
38 “I want to see the books.” Interview of Gudmundur Thorarinsson by author, October 2009.
39 Even key stalwarts felt his sting Telegraph.co.uk, January 25. 2008.
40 Bobby’s snit against him lasted only twenty-four hours Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009.
41 “special but only in the negative sense” E-mail from Bobby Fischer to Pal Benko, May 11, 2007, DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 308.
42 “I don’t owe these [people] anything!” E-mail to Pal Benko from Bobby Fischer, May 10, 2007, as quoted in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 308.
43 “Well, that’s Bobby” Interview of Einar Einarsson by author, October 10, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
44 “Never obey anyone’s command” Wikipedia, accessed December 7, 2009.
45 “I am always on the attack” From Me and Bobby Fischer, 2009.
46 “I am a genius” From Me and Bobby Fischer, 2009.
47 Eventually, Bobby brought him a copy of Basic Catechism Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009.
48 Einarsson and Skulasson both concluded Letter to the author from Einar Einarsson, November 8, 2009, FB.
49 then professed that he thought “the only hope for the world” Interview of Gardar Sverrisson by author, October 2009.
50 “Unfortunately, we’re not strong enough” quote from an unpublished 300-page manuscript by Bobby Fischer dated January 17, 1999, as reprinted in DeLucia and DeLucia, p. 272.
51 “The expressiveness of the eyes, my goodness, you can practically feel his sadness” Letter from David Surratt to Einar Einarsson, February 15, 2008.
52 His friend Pal Benko believed that to be the case Interview of Pal Benko by author, summer 2008, New York.
53 “Why didn’t you bring the whole book!?” Interview of Fridrik Olafsson by author, October 2009.
54 contrary to reports that he had it perched on his bedside table Interview of Magnus Skulasson by author, October 2009.
55 He was at Bobby’s bedside as a friend Iceland Review, February 2008, p. 43.
56 Bobby looked at him and said, “Nothing soothes as much as the human touch.” Interview of Magnus Skulasson by author, October 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland.
57 became his attendants and guardians Sunday Times (London), April 20, 2008.
Epilogue
1 “My brother is dead” E-mail to Einar Einarsson from Boris Spassky, January 18, 2009.
2 Only three weeks before Bobby’s death E-mail to Bobby Fischer from Boris Spassky, December 28, 2007.
3 “I have a brother’s feeling” Letter from Boris Spassky to author, May 31, 2010.
4 “Fischer just wanted to be buried like a normal human being” “Requiem for the Black King,” Iceland Review, July 4, 2008.
5 “Like him, he was buried with few present” Ibid.
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