The Iceland Chess Conspiracy
Bobby Fischer was so retro
In 1972, Reykjavik impressed chess fans around the world by hosting a world championship tournament between Boris Spassky (the Russian) and Bobby Fischer (the American.) Fischer won.
Twenty years later, Spassky and Fischer had a rematch in Yugoslavia. Fischer won again, this time earning $3.5 million. But the U.S. government claimed Fischer's participation violated U.N. sanctions against Yugoslavia, and revoked his U.S. passport. This led to his arrest over a decade later for traveling on an expired passport in Japan in 2004. He claimed that he was exposed to radiation while in custody.
Enter Iceland, who granted Fischer citizenship in 2005, where he lived until his death in 2008. This was also the beginning of the theory that the alleged radiation contributed to his death.
You would think this is the end of the story, but it is not. In 2010, a Filipino woman named Marilyn Young claimed Fischer was the father of her nine year old daughter Jinky (I'm not making this up.) So they dug up his body, did DNA testing, and confirmed that he was NOT Jinky's father (although Jinky would be a good name for a tricky chess move.)
Twenty years later, Spassky and Fischer had a rematch in Yugoslavia. Fischer won again, this time earning $3.5 million. But the U.S. government claimed Fischer's participation violated U.N. sanctions against Yugoslavia, and revoked his U.S. passport. This led to his arrest over a decade later for traveling on an expired passport in Japan in 2004. He claimed that he was exposed to radiation while in custody.
Enter Iceland, who granted Fischer citizenship in 2005, where he lived until his death in 2008. This was also the beginning of the theory that the alleged radiation contributed to his death.
You would think this is the end of the story, but it is not. In 2010, a Filipino woman named Marilyn Young claimed Fischer was the father of her nine year old daughter Jinky (I'm not making this up.) So they dug up his body, did DNA testing, and confirmed that he was NOT Jinky's father (although Jinky would be a good name for a tricky chess move.)
The Lewis Chessmen: Made in Norway...or Iceland?
But if you think that's Iceland's only chess conspiracy, you are mistaken.
The Lewis Chessmen were discovered in Scotland on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, in 1831. Carved out of walrus tusk and whale teeth, they were found inside a sand dune. But how did they end up there? Leftovers from a shipwreck? Stolen and buried loot? Today, they'd be worth quite a bit on eBay. But lucky for us, 82 of the pieces are on display at the British Museum, and 11 pieces are in Edinburgh at the National Museum of Scotland.
Historians believe they were made in Norway around 1150 AD. But some Icelanders, citing old manuscripts, are challenging that belief and trying to prove that the pieces came from their country. But why such a deep link to a game that teaches military strategy? Isn't Iceland neutral? Or is the Mackerel War heating up, and she's keeping all her options open? Or maybe Iceland's next scandal will be Cod For Guns? Expect anything, stay tuned, and watch your back.
The Lewis Chessmen were discovered in Scotland on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, in 1831. Carved out of walrus tusk and whale teeth, they were found inside a sand dune. But how did they end up there? Leftovers from a shipwreck? Stolen and buried loot? Today, they'd be worth quite a bit on eBay. But lucky for us, 82 of the pieces are on display at the British Museum, and 11 pieces are in Edinburgh at the National Museum of Scotland.
Historians believe they were made in Norway around 1150 AD. But some Icelanders, citing old manuscripts, are challenging that belief and trying to prove that the pieces came from their country. But why such a deep link to a game that teaches military strategy? Isn't Iceland neutral? Or is the Mackerel War heating up, and she's keeping all her options open? Or maybe Iceland's next scandal will be Cod For Guns? Expect anything, stay tuned, and watch your back.