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Iceland Court Orders Bobby Fischer Remains Exhumed


Former chess champion Bobby Fischer (center) speaks to reporters before his departure from New Tokyo International Airport in 2005.
Former chess champion Bobby Fischer (center) speaks to reporters before his departure from New Tokyo International Airport in 2005.
Authorities in Iceland say they will dig up the remains of former chess champion Bobby Fischer to settle a paternity claim.

Iceland's Supreme Court has ruled that tissue samples are needed to determine the paternity of the Filipina daughter of Fischer's former lover.

It overturned a ruling by a lower court earlier this year denying the request.

Fischer became the only U.S. world chess champion by defeating the Soviet Union's masters but spent his last years as a fugitive from U.S. authorities, wanted for defying sanctions against Yugoslavia.

He died at age 64 after an unspecified illness two years ago in Iceland.

compiled from agency reports

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