Icelanders open arms to reclusive Fischer

Granting the freedom of Iceland to an eccentric chess genius and fugitive from US justice, with vocal and extremist views, might seem a strange move.

But to the many supporters of Bobby Fischer, it is merely confirmation that Icelanders have a good memory.

Fischer's historic world championship showdown against Russia's Boris Spassky in Rekjavik in 1972 brought unprecedented media attention to the city and earned the eccentric a permanent place in Icelandic hearts.

"He put Iceland on the international map," said Pall Stefansson, from Iceland Review magazine magazine.

"For us he has the status of a football player, he is like our David Beckham."

Iceland boasts the highest number of chess grandmasters per capita anywhere in the world.

Not even the prospect of falling out with a powerful ally like Washington has dimmed public support for providing asylum to Fischer, who otherwise faced extradition to the US.

"I think it's Icelandic stubbornness, that maybe we do what we like," said Mr Stefansson.

Lilja Gretasdottir, president of Iceland's chess federation, said the decision to offer Mr Fischer a passport was "wonderful news".

"A lot of Icelanders - even if they have no interest in chess - feel attached to the memory of Bobby Fischer ... his only crime was to play chess, but playing chess is not a crime."

- INDEPENDENT