Press release
Icelandic court reopens Jinky's case
The District court of Reykjavik, Iceland has reopened the case of Jinky Young,
the Filipino child of the late Bobby Fischer, to allow her to adduce further
evidence in support of her claim to the estate of the chess legend.
In a ruling during the hearing on September 10, Judge Ms. Ingiridur Ludviksdottir
reset the case to October 6 to allow Marilyn Young, Jinky's mother, to engage
the services of another lawyer after their counsel in Iceland, Thordur Bogason,
had a falling out with Jinky's local lawyer, Sammy Estimo.
Estimo has theorized that Mr. Bogason had prematurely closed the case without
consulting his client after the DNA tests in Germany allegedly showed that Jinky
was not the child of Fischer. He said that there were post-DNA remedies available
like a request for a similar test to be conducted on the DNA samples of Fischer's
nephews who are also claimants to his estate. If the result thereof proves negative,
then the seven tissue samples which were taken from the coffin supposedly containing
the remains of Fischer during his questionable exhumation in July, were not
genuinely his. The DNA examination in Germany would then be a hoax.
Estimo had also discovered a provision of Icelandic law which would have won
the case for Jinky but which was not used by Mr. Bogason. This law, plus the
bank deposits, post cards signed by Fischer admitting that he was Jinky's daddy,
incriminating photos taken in a hotel in Hong Kong and the expensive house which
Fischer bought for Jinky in Davao City could have clinched Jinky's claim to
the estate of her father.

Jinky and Marilyn Young
But even if Jinky loses at the District Court, she can still appeal to the
Supreme Court where she will have a better chance. Mr. Bogason admitted in his
letter to Marilyn dated September 11 that a losing party at the District Court
can go to the Supreme Court within two weeks from receipt of the lower court's
ruling.
Sensing that Marilyn had already lost trust in him, Mr. Bogason had also withdrawn
from Case. No. Q-1/2010 during the hearing on September 10.
Samuel Estimo
National Chess Master and Two-Time Chess Olympian
Four-time Philipine Team Captain to the Chess Olympiad

The house that Fischer bought, in Davao City, southern Philippines, for Jinky
in 2005
Sammy Estimo tells us that Bobby remitted the down payment for the house in
2002, and later paid monthly instalments thereon until it was fully paid in
2005. Marilyn Young says Bobby had planned to visit and stay with them in this
house in March, 2008 but his plan was aborted when he died on January 17 of
the same year. He was calling Marilyn the night before but she failed to receive
his call, only to find out the following day that he was already dead. "If
Jinky was less than a child to Bobby," Esposito writes, "do you think
the chess genius would spend a very big amount to buy her an expensive house
in an exclusive subdivision?"
DNA
paternity test results
Inga Reynisdóttir, Ph.D. of the Landspitali-University Hospital, Department
of Pathology in Reykjavik, Iceland, sent Thordur Bogason on August 26, 2010,
the following report:
"Paternity analysis was performed on DNA from Jinky Felonia Young, born
21.05.2001, her mother Marilyn Felonia Young, born 23.02.1979 and Robert James
Fischer, born 09.03.1943 deceased 17.01 2008, in order to test whether he
was the child's father.
Blood samples were drawn from Jinky Felonia Young and Marilyn Felonia Young
al the Landspitali-University Hospital in Reykjavik on December 2nd. 2009.
The bodily remains of Robert James Fischer were exhumed on July 5th, 2010
and biological samples were taken."
Dr Reynisdóttir attached a report with the results of the paternity
analysis from the Institute of Legal Medicine, University Clinic in Münster,
Germany. It says:
In the case of Bobby Fischer a DNA-ancestry analysis was performed to answer
the question if Mr. Bobby Fischer could be the father of Jinky FeloniaYoung.
The DNA-samples (blood spotted on cotton) of the child Jinky Felonia Young,
born 21.05.2001, and the mother Mrs. Marilyn Felonia Young, born 23.02.1979,
were sent to our laboratory by the Dept. of pathology, House 9 at Baronsstigur,
101 Reykjavik, Iceland. Teeth of Mr. Bobby Fischer, born on 09.03.1943, were
shipped to our Institute 09.07.2010.
The sample material was used for DNA extraction and PCR-based amplification
using the Identifier reagents kit (Applied Biosystems). The PCR products were
determined by high resolution capillary gel electrophoresis with laser-induced
fluorescence detection and visualisation. All the DNA-systems are highly validated,
the analysis is secure, the accuracy (precision) is extremely high. The local
laboratory has successfully participated in relevant quality controls.
A table of results of 17 individual DNA characteristics is given for all three
subjects and the following conclusions are drawn:
The DNA characteristics of the child are inherited by the laws of heredity
(Mendelian rules). The child receives both a characteristic feature of the
mother and one from the father. It can result in two different traits (heterozygosity)
or two identical characteristics (homozygosity) for the child.
The distribution of the DNA characteristics in 17 independent systems clearly
point out, that Mr. Bobby Fischer cannot be considered to be the father of
Jinky Felonia Young. There is an exclusion in 10 DNA-systems.
The remains of the saliva and DNA samples will be stored adequately until
the notification by the client that the present procedure is completed. We
will send back the rest of the sample materials.
The report is signed by Prof. Dr. med. H. Pfeiffer, who certifies that he has
given it impartially and to the best knowledge and belief in consideration of
the guidelines of the Bundesärztekammer and the Robert Koch Institute.
As a reaction to the above report, Thordur Bogason, the Icelandic lawyer of
Jinky and Marilyn Young, advised his clients as follows:
As this fact and proof is binding for the court it is evident that no other
circumstantial evidence, such as postcards, money transfers, purchase of estates
of affidavit's of persons would lead to another conclusion according to Icelandic
law than to rule that Mr. Fischer is not the father of Jinky. I strongly warn
against those that insinuate that the exhumation of the bodily remains of
Mr. Fischer was in some way not properly done. I was present as your representative
and I can assure you that the procedure was professional and proper. I also
warn very strongly against making any allegation that there was some wrong
doing on behalf of certain parties opposed to the claims of Jinky, like switching
bodies. I am ashamed of reading such allegation made in public and I do not
believe that such reactions are in the best interest of Jinky.
I recommend, in light of the outcome of the DNA-test, that you, as Jinky's
custodian, order me as your attorney to announce that you withdraw from the
case. If you however decide to continue with the case, I will attend and appeal
to the court to postpone the matter until you have found a new legal representation
here in Iceland, as this will be my last court appearance for you and indeed
mark the end of my services to you. Please note that the instructions must
come from you personally and not from Mr. Estimo.
I must also warn you that carrying on with the claim of Jinky before the
Icelandic courts might be regarded as contempt for the truth and as such contempt
for the court. This might lead to decisions on behalf of the court, such as
to decide that all cost regarding the case should be borne by you or your
attorney, even decide penalties, all according to Article 131 or 135 of Act
no. 91/1991, regarding civil court process.
All of the above information was sent to us and to the New York Times by
Samuel Estimo. The story of the reopening of the Fischer paternity case can
be found here:
Related ChessBase reports

|
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
17.08.2010 – 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. |

|
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. |