Bobby Fischer

Bobby Fischer speaks to the press in his new home of Reykjavik, Iceland, in this Friday March 25, 2005, photo. The reclusive chess genius who became a Cold War hero by dethroning the Soviet world champion in 1972 and later renounced his American citizenship, has died at the age of 64, Iceland's Channel 2 television reported Friday, Jan. 18, 2008.

Fischer, seen at age 14, prepares to move his queen during a match at the Manhattan Chess Club, in New York, June 21, 1957. Fischer learned the game when he was six. By 1957 he'd won the U.S. Junior Championship, the youngest player ever to do so.

Fischer is seen playing a practice round with Soviet grandmaster Tigran Petrosian, at the Central Chess Club in Moscow, in the former Soviet Union, June 1958. He became U.S. Champion and the youngest-ever international grandmaster that year.

Reigning chess world champion Boris Spassky, left, of the former Soviet Union, and Fischer, the game's international grandmaster, are seen during a game at the XIX World Chess Olympiad, in Siegen, Germany, Sept. 20, 1970.

Fischer contemplates a move, Aug. 10, 1971.

Fischer, right, and Boris Spassky play in Reykjavik, Iceland, Aug. 31, 1972. Fischer became a chess icon when he dethroned Spassky in a series of games here, claiming the United States' first world chess championship in more than a century.

Fischer pauses before the start of his fifth game against Boris Spassky, in Sveti Stefan, Yugoslavia, Sept. 9, 1992. It was Fischer's first public match in years, and he won. But his playing violated U.S. sanctions imposed to punish then-President Slobodan Milosevic, and it began a decade-long manhunt for Fischer.

Japan Chess Association President Miyoko Watai reads a statement regarding her plans for marriage with Fischer, in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 17, 2004. Fischer was detained in Japan a month earlier when he tried to travel on an invalid American passport. The marriage could win him sympathy among Japanese officials and help him avoid deportation to the United States, Watai and his supporters said.

Addressing Fischer's detention, Icelandic chess grand master Einar Einarsson, right, calls on Japan to "stop this bad game," during a press conference in Tokyo, March 8, 2005. At left is John Bosnitch, of the Committee to Free Bobby Fischer.

A copy of an Icelandic passport issued to Fischer following its parliament's vote to grant him citizenship. He has a wide following in Iceland, and the approval was widely expected. A few days later, Japan said he would be permitted to leave.

Miyoko Watai, Fischer's fiancee, speaks to a reporter after visitng Fischer at the Ushiku Immigration Detention Center, east of Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2005.

Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer walks to a departure terminal at New Tokyo International Airport in Narita, Japan, March 24, 2005. After the eccentric chess icon spent nearly nine months in detention pending deportation to the United States, he was permitted to travel to Iceland, which granted him full citizenship.

Fischer comments to reporters upon arrival at New Tokyo International Airport, in Narita, Japan, March 24, 2005. "This was not an arrest. It was a kidnapping cooked up by Bush and Koizumi," he said, referring to President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Fischer walks to board a plane for departure, in Narita, Japan, March 24, 2005. Fischer, 62, was in high spirits and characteristically defiant. As he walked toward the airport entrance, he turned, unzipped his pants and acted as if he was going to urinate on the wall. He called Japan's ruling party "gangsters," and said he was being hounded by the United States because it is "Jew-controlled."

Fischer avoids the media by exiting through a side door onto the tarmac at the Copenhagen, Denmark, airport, March 24, 2005. Fischer connected through Copenhagen on his way from Japan to his new home in Iceland. At right is his fiancee, Miyoko Watai.

Fischer gestures while speaking to the press for the first time since landing in his new home of Reykjavik, Iceland, March 25, 2005. During a one-hour rambling discourse, Fischer described his 9-month-long detention in Japan, and railed against what he called an evil U.S. government.