Monday, April 04, 2005

Fischer to Play One More Chess Match?

Fischer to Play One More Chess Match?

Leave it to the guardian... this writer theorizes that if Fischer were indicted for money laundering, he could have his Swiss bank accounts frozen, and would be "free but broke," possibly needing to play another chess match to make some dough... here's an excerpt:

It emerged that during his eight-month stay in a Japanese detention centre Fischer played several games with a Burmese guard who almost got a draw. So what chance for Fischer v Kasparov, the racist of Reykjavik v the beast of Baku? The two all-time greats have never met, let alone played a game.

There could be an incentive soon. Next week a Philadelphia grand jury is likely to indict Fischer for tax evasion and money laundering. The last charge, based on Fischer's payments to US lawyers who helped him fight deportation, is the key. It could trigger the new US Patriot Act enabling the IRS to acquire details of, and perhaps freeze, Fischer's Swiss bank account. So Fischer could be free but broke, needing another large payday for his old age.