FORMER WORLD chess champion Bobby Fischer fears for his life, telling long-time friend Eugene Torre that he would be killed once he gets deported to the United States.

"Bobby (Fischer) called me up and told me that his appeal was rejected by Japanese authorities. He could be deported as early as tomorrow (Friday)," Torre said.

Torre, long-time Philippine chess king, disclosed that a press conference was set yesterday in Japan in a last-ditched attempt to secure Fischer’s release from prison.

The press conference, organized by the ‘Committee to Free Bobby Fischer’ and the Japan Chess Association, was to present the entire case, itemizing (with full passport documentation to be circulated) the specific violations of Bobby’s rights under both United States and Japanese law.

Bobby’s condition and the objectives of his worldwide defense effort would also be discussed.

Speaking for the Committee will be former Shimbun editor John Bosnitch, who has been intervening as counsel at the deportation hearing.

The Japan Chess Association, on the other hand, will be represented by its president, Ms. Miyoko Watai, who has also been attending the hearing.

Fischer is being charged for trying to travel on an invalid US passport. He is wanted in the US on charges of violating the International Economic Powers Act by flying to Yugoslavia to play Boris Spassky in a chess match in 1992.

Meanwhile, the Icelandic Chess Federation has appealed to US President George W. Bush to drop charges against Fischer, citing his big contributions to chess’ promotion and popularity.