Reykjavík District Court determined yesterday that Miyoko Watai, late chess grandmaster Robert J. Fischer’s wife, is his legal heir. Fischer’s nephews, Alexander Gary and Nicholas William Targ, had doubted that Watai and Fischer were legally married and claimed to be his closest relatives. Fischer’s nephews are to pay the widow over ISK 6.6 million (USD 57,000, EUR 41,000) in legal costs, Morgunbladid reports. [Gudjon Olafur Jonsson, a lawyer for Fischer's nephews, Alexander and Nicholas Targ, said it was very likely that they would appeal to Iceland's Supreme Court, but sources in Iceland tell us that the appeal is without merit or chance].
After Fischer’s death in 2008, Watai demanded that she be recognized as his legal heir. The case has been circulating through the Icelandic courts since then and has been taken to the Supreme Court more than once. Fischer became an Icelandic citizen a few years before his death. He died in Iceland and is buried in a cemetery in the southern part of the country.
In addition to his widow and nephews, a woman who claimed her daughter was Fischer’s legal heir was also involved in the legal battle until Fischer’s body was exhumed and a DNA analysis confirmed that Fischer wasn’t her daughter’s biological father.
Reykjavík District Court’s verdict has concluded that the document submitted by Watai confirmed that she and Fischer were legally married on September 6, 2004. She is said to have submitted sufficient proof to that account at the time of his death and is therefore his legal heir. Watai is a pharmacist and the chairperson of the Japanese Chess Association. She said she and Fischer met in Japan in 1973.
|
|
Bobby Fischer dies in Iceland 18.01.2008 – One of the world's greatest chess geniuses, Bobby Fischer, has died at the age of 64. A spokesman for Fischer said the former world chess champion passed away in a Reykjavik hospital yesterday. The US-born former world chess champion, who became famous around the world for beating the Soviet Union's Boris Spassky in 1972, had been seriously ill for some time. Rest in Peace, Bobby. |
|
|
Bobby Fischer – his final weeks 25.01.2008 – One of the greatest chess legends, the eleventh world champion Robert Bobby Fischer, passed on January 17, 2008. The cause of death was renal failure. He was quietly buried by his closest friends at a cemetery in the countryside he loved. Controversy is arising due to the secrecy of the burial, but we are convinced it was conducted according to his personal wishes. Report and tributes. |
|
|
Bobby Fischer buried in Iceland 22.01.2008 – Chess legend Robert James Fischer, eleventh world champion, was laid to rest in the cemetery of Laugardalur Church outside the town of Selfoss, 60 km south of Reykjavik. Fischer, who died of kidney failure, had requested that only a handful of people be present at the funeral – amongst them Fischer's companion, Miyoko Watai. We bring you the wire reports and a statement by Garry Kasparov. |
|
|
First anniversary of Bobby Fischer's death 17.01.2009 – Exactly one year ago a great chess legend died, at the age of 64. Bobby Fischer was buried without ceremony in a private cemetery in southern Iceland, which now has a simple headstone – a reader sent us a picture. In a commemorative article we remember Bobby with an inspiring story from his childhood – "The Sicilian Vespers" and with links to his Sixty Memorable ChessBase Reports. |
|
|
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 District 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 Icelandic 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 analysis. 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. |
|
|
DNA test results prove: Fischer was not the father
of Jinky Young |
|
|
Details of Fischer's exhumation revealed 20.08.2010 – "I will give you a report but stress that we keep all details confidential as we have strict orders from the authorities not to reveal any such detailed information to the media," wrote Thordur Bogason, the Icelandic lawyer representing Jinky and Marilyn Young in the Fischer paternity suite. But their Philippine lawyer Samuel Estimo did pass it on – to us and the New York Times. Detailed description. |
|
|
Fischer's DNA – still no final closure 31.08.2010 – The DNA test in a paternity lawsuit filed by Marilyn and Jinky Young was negative for the claimants. The Icelandic representative declared the case closed, but Philippine lawyer Samuel Estimo is demanding that DNA samples of the former World Champion be verified against Fischer's blood relatives. He sent new pictures. Meanwhile chess correspondent Bobby Ang has published additional details. |
|
|
To be reopened? Fischer paternity suit 16.09.2010 – It seems all fairly conclusive, but Jinky and Marilyn Young's Philippine lawyer Samuel Estimo continues to fight on – despite some fairly compelling DNA evidence, provided by a University Clinic in Germany, against the plaintiffs. Estimo cites circumstantial evidence, including an expensive house Fischer bought for his "daughter" in an exclusive suburb of Manila. Evidence and arguments. |
