12/2/2020 – Shortly before the death of former World Champion Bobby Fischer his Icelandic bodyguard during the Spassky match in 1972, Saemundur Pálsson, participated in the production of a documentary entitled "Vinur minn Bobby" (“My Friend Bobby”). Fischer protested, stating that the material used in the film was obtained by fraud. Now for the first time the full film is available in YouTube. You can watch it – but warning: it contains harsh language!
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Here's the film, now posted in YouTube:
At the time of production we received this letter from the Icelandic Robert James Fischer Campaign Group:
Réttlæti-Jafnræði-Frelsi – RJF - HÓPURINN –THE RJF CAMPAIGN GROUP Board: Einar S. Einarsson, Chairman; Gudmundur G. Thórarinsson, Vice-Chairman; Garðar Sverrisson; Helgi Ólafsson; Magnús Skúlason
FOR INFORMATION
Re: A film on Bobby Fischer
Robert James Fischer, world champion in chess, has sought the assistance of the RJF Campaign Group because of his dissatisfaction with a "documentary film" that cinematographer Fridrik Gudmundsson and Kristinn Hrafnsson have been producing in cooperation with Saemundur Pálsson and other parties.
Mr. Fischer wishes the group to draw attention to the fact that the manuscript and structure of the aforementioned "documentary," of which he is the main subject, are grossly inconsistent with former discussions and that the material has been obtained by fraud.
The primary theme of the film now, which working title is "My friend Bobby", is in his opinion, quite contrary to the ideas that were proposed in the year 2005 concerning a possible news program for Icelandic televison on the US organised kidnapping and imprisonment of Mr. Fischer in Japan, his being granted Icelandic citizenship and release from prison.
On this occasion, the RJF Group wishes to reiterate that Mr. Fischer has never signed any form of contract or release for this television program. All use or broadcast of any material that was recorded by these parties concerning Mr. Fischer´s case or personality is not authorized. No such material may be used, broadcast, or otherwise displayed without his consent.
For this reason, it is absolutely against his wishes that parties in Iceland or elsewere should provide financial subsidy for the production of this film or should show it once completed.
Reykjavík, May 4 2007
On behalf of the Board of the RJF Campaign Group
Einar S. Einarsson, chairman
Who is Saemi Palsson?
The driving force behind the documentary is Fischer's former bodyguard and friend Saemi Palsson. The name of the documentary, "My friend Bobby", is a reference to Saemi, who is the main source of information for the producers.
Sæmundur Pálsson, a.k.a. "Saemi Rock", is a former police officer (since 1969) and former competition rock dancer – which brought him the names "Rock and Roll Champion of Reykjavik" and "Dancing Policeman".
Saemi was one of eight policemen who were assigned to protect Bobby Fischer during the World Championship match against Boris Spassky in Iceland in 1972. After Bobby had won the title Saemi visited him in New York and, he says, spent a couple of months with him in Pasadena, California.
During Fischer's imprisonment in Japan Saemi tried to convince the Icelandic government to help his friend. He went to Japan and attempted to get Fischer out with an Icelandic passport. Iceland granted Fischer full citizenship that he was free to move to his new home country.
Bobby and Saemi on the plane from Japanese detention to Reykjavik Airport
Fischer with Saemi Palsson after his 24-hour journey from Japan
Feeling better, a few days later after a much-needed trimming of hair and beard
Links
Fischer fans: these links will keep you occupied until the end of the pandemic.
Bobby Fischer settles down in Iceland. This article contains an index to a large number of ChessBase reports on Fischer's imprisonment and release in Japan.
Bobby Fischer’s final days: Gardar Sverrison wrote a remarkable book on the Fischer he knew and who became part of his family.
Frederic FriedelEditor-in-Chief emeritus of the ChessBase News page. Studied Philosophy and Linguistics at the University of Hamburg and Oxford, graduating with a thesis on speech act theory and moral language. He started a university career but switched to science journalism, producing documentaries for German TV. In 1986 he co-founded ChessBase.
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