CHESS LEGEND BOBBY FISCHER DIES

Eccentric chess legend BOBBY FISCHER has died of suspected kidney failure at the age of 64. The American-born former world champion passed away on Thursday (18Jan08) at his home in Iceland, a friend reveals. Gardar Sverrisson says, "I can confirm that he died yesterday in his home due to an illness." Fischer, regarded by many as the greatest chess player of all time, made headlines after beating the reigning champion, Russia's Boris Spassky, in a Cold War showdown in 1972. He will be remembered for his theatrics, frequent outbursts during games, and his colourful life after retiring from chess. He fled the U.S. in 1992 after breaking intenational sanctions by playing chess in the then-wartorn Yugoslavia. He was arrested in Japan in 2004 while travelling with a revoked passport. But before he could be deported to the U.S. to stand trial, the Icelandic government stepped in and offered him citizenship. He lived there until his death.