Bobby Fischer

Iceland feels it owes a favor





REYKJAVIK, Iceland Officials in Iceland say a "special connection" with former chess great Bobby Fischer led them to invite him to live there.

Fischer is currently being held in Japan, where he faces extradition to the U-S on charges that he violated international sanctions against Yugoslavia for playing a chess match there.

On Wednesday, Iceland offered Fischer a residency permit.

Officials say they feel they owe him for helping put the country on the map with his 1972 match against Boris Spassky. Iceland says it was the biggest international event to take place in the country.

A friend says Fischer has accepted Iceland's offer. However, he faces many hurdles to get there, including lack of a valid passport.





Bobby Fischer