Bobby Fischer

Fischer was detained at Narita airport in July for allegedly trying to fly to the Philippines using a revoked U.S. passport.

With deportation looming, Iceland announced Dec. 16 that it would offer residency to the 61-year-old former grand master.

Fischer faces up to 10 years in prison in the United States for violating U.N. sanctions against Belgrade over the Balkan wars when he went to the former Yugoslavia in 1992 to play a chess match.

Immigration officials have said it's difficult for Fischer to be released to go to Iceland because he can go to a third country only if the United States refuses to take him.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 25, 2004
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