Wednesday February 6, 2008

Filipino woman claims share of Bobby Fischer estate

MANILA (Reuters) - A Filipino woman and her daughter are claiming a share of the estate of late American-born chess legend Bobby Fischer, a lawyer said on Wednesday.

Samuel Estimo told Reuters he was gathering documents and evidence to prove that Fischer had a daughter with Marilyn Young in 2001. He said the reclusive chess master had left a $1.95 million estate.

"I have with me a copy of the passports, pictures and bank accounts of Fischer's seven-year-old daughter," Estimo said, adding he would file a claim in Iceland.

Fischer, who died last month, had renounced his U.S. citizenship and moved to Iceland in 2005.

"I believe we have substantial proof to back the claims of Marilyn Young and her daughter Jinky. They even stayed with him in Iceland for three weeks in September 2005."

Two nephews and a Japanese woman, who claimed to have married the reclusive chess master, are also contesting Fischer's estate. Washington was also trying to recover money from Fischer in back taxes, Estimo said.

Fischer became a Cold War icon when he beat Boris Spassky of the then Soviet Union to become world champion in 1972, but he later became a fierce critic of his homeland.

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