DNA test results prove: Fischer was not the father of Jinky Young

by ChessBase
8/17/2010 – This morning informed sources in Iceland told us that the results of the DNA tests that were conducted after the extraction of tissue samples from Bobby Fischer's grave have revealed that the paternity claim of Marilyn Young is without basis. "It is completely ruled out" that Jinky Young can be the biological daughter of the former World Champion. Now the story is out in many leading news sources.

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A DNA analysis of a biological specimen taking from late chess master Robert J. Fischer’s body during exhumation in Iceland in July determines that Jinky, a Filipino girl, isn’t his daughter has her mother, Marilyn Young, has claimed. The results of the analysis was submitted at Reykjavík District Court this morning, visir.is reports.

The Supreme Court of Iceland ruled in June that Fischer’s remains should be exhumed to obtain a biological sample so that the heritage dispute surrounding his estate could be settled. Fischer spent his last years in Iceland and chose to be buried in a remote graveyard in south Iceland. – Source: Iceland Review.


Lawyer: Chess icon Fischer didn't father girl

LONDON – A lawyer in Iceland says DNA tests show that chess master Bobby Fischer was not the father of a 9-year-old girl from the Philippines. Reykjavik-based lawyer Thordur Bogason, who represents Jinky, said Tuesday "the DNA report excluded Bobby Fisher from being the father of Jinky Young, and therefore the case has come to a close." – Full report here.


DNA tests on chess champion's corpse exclude paternity

REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - A DNA test on former chess champion Bobby Fischer's corpse has shown that he was not the father of a Filipino girl, as claimed by his former lover, an Icelandic paper reported on Tuesday. In December 2009, the Supreme Court overturned a municipal court decision which had declared the Japanese woman the rightful heir, saying definite proof of the marriage had not been made available. – Full report here.


Fischer Paternity Results Are In: The Kid Is Not His Daughter

(Aug. 17) -- The results of Bobby Fischer's postmortem paternity test are in: Jinky Young, the 9-year-old daughter of Fischer's former lover, is not his offspring. Now, Iceland Review Online reports that results have come back negative.

Fischer was granted Icelandic citizenship in 2005 and died in a Reykjavik hospital three years later. He left behind an estate worth $2 million, with several parties – including Young, Fischer's alleged ex-wife, U.S tax authorities and two nephews – warring for a stake. An establishment of paternity would have given Young a leg up on the competition.

"Mr. Fischer can't be the dad of this young lady," Arni Vilhjalmsson, the lawyer for Myoko Watai, a Japanese woman who claims she was once married to Fischer, told Agence France-Presse. "It means that she's out." – Full report here.


DNA Test Is Said to Prove Bobby Fischer Was Not Girl’s Father

[Fischer's] estate is said to be worth at least $2 million. Ms. Young filed her claim in November. Among the documents she provided were pictures of her, Mr. Fischer and Jinky, as well as postcards to Jinky signed “Daddy” that she said were from Mr. Fischer. (Friends of Mr. Fischer’s who know his handwriting have said the postcards appeared genuine.) She has also produced records showing that Mr. Fischer gave her money in 2006 and 2007 to help support her and Jinky.

Nevertheless, Mr. Fischer’s friends in Iceland had said they doubted that he was Jinky’s father, pointing out, among other things, that there was no physical resemblance between the two. They said they thought that Mr. Fischer played the role of father out of kindness and concern for the mother and child.

The fight over the estate now seems to be between Ms. Watai and Mr. Fischer’s nephews. Earlier this year, the Icelandic Supreme Court rejected Ms. Watai’s marriage claim as insufficient, though she supplied a copy of her marriage license that had been certified by the Japanese embassy. Ms. Watai has declined requests for an interview, but Mr. Vilhjalmsson said that he was planning to file additional evidence in support of Ms. Watai’s marital claim in the next few weeks. Mr. Fischer’s nephews had no comment.

Also read: recent New York Times articles:


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Bobby Fischer buried in Iceland
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Iceland: Fischer's estate, his final resting place
10.11.2009 – The chess legend Bobby Fischer died in Iceland on January 17, 2008. He was buried in the compound of a church in Selfoss, 60 km from the capital Reykjavik. Since then there has been a battle over his estate, which is claimed by his nephews Alexander and Nicholas Targ. Now the Reykjavik Discrict Court has ruled in favour of Fischer's lawfully wedded wife, Miyoko Watai. Pictorial report.

Fischer's daughter Jinky files claim to his estate
11.11.2009 – Yesterday we published a report on an Islandic court awarding Fischer's estate to his lawfully wedded wife Miyoko Watai. Today we received a message from Marilyn Young, Fischer's "Filipina live-in partner", who is seeking justice for her and Fischer's eight-year-old daughter Jinky. The two are on their way to Iceland to file their claim. Marilyn has sent us some fairly compelling photographic evidence.

Marilyn and Jinky visit Fischer's tomb
05.12.2009 – As we reported some weeks ago, Marilyn young, Bobby Fischer's "Filipina live-in partner", is claiming rights to the late champion's estate for their common daughter Jinky. The claim has been filed with Icelandic courts, and during their visit a blood sample was drawn from Jinky and submitted for DNA ananlysis. Marilyn's lawyer Samuel Estimo sent us the following report from Reykjavik.

Fischer’s remains to be exhumed?
01.04.2010 – After his death on January 17, 2008 an Icelandic court awarded Bobby Fischer's estate to his wife Miyoko Watai. Then Marilyn Young, Fischer's "Filipina live-in partner", filed a claim on behalf of her eight-year-old daughter Jinky, who she says was fathered by the former World Champion. Now it appears the case will be settled by the disinterment of Fischer's remains for DNA testing. Press release.

Icelandic Court: Fischer’s remains can be exhumed
18.06.2010 – On April 1st of this year we reported – and it was not a tasteless April Fool's joke – that the remains of former World Champion Bobby Fischer could be exhumed to settle a paternity dispute. The District Court of Reykjavik did not allow it, but now the Iceland Supreme Court has overturned this ruling after receiving new evidence from the claimant Marilyn Young. The story is in the international news.

Breaking news: Tissue sample obtained from Fischer's grave
05.07.2010 – We have been informed that the remains of former World Champion Bobby Fischer were "exhumed" on Monday in the early hours of the morning. This was done on the order of the Icelandic Supreme Court, to settle a paternity dispute. Everything was done in a professional and dignified manner, with a priest and doctor present. The grave was left in its original state.

Pastor in Iceland: Fischer not 'exhumed'
11.07.2010 – A week ago we broke the news: tissue samples had been taken from chess champion Bobby Fischer's grave, on the order of the Icelandic Supreme Court to settle a paternity dispute. Most news sources reported that the body had been "exhumed", and our version – a hole dug in the ground next to the grave – was disputed. Now the Pastor in charge of the procedure provides clarification.

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