From Iceland — ADOPT-A-FISCHER

ADOPT-A-FISCHER

Published April 8, 2005

ADOPT-A-FISCHER

Bart Cameron

The following major Icelandic companies dedicated time, money and other resources into bringing Bobby Fischer to Iceland. We would be remiss if we didn’t applaud their efforts.

Shell: What kind of community service makes up for fleecing the nation in an outrageous price-fixing scandal? Sponsoring a flight to Japan to send Bobby Fischer a special message from his friend and former bodyguard.

Góa chocolate*: Fischer was put in solitary confinement for beating a guard who refused him an egg. This local candy company took the hint and proudly donated an enormous chocolate egg to Iceland’s newest citizen.

Stöð 2*: This respected television station paid for Fischer’s transport to Iceland, and then whisked him away immediately after landing to conduct a private interview, despite vocal criticism from media companies from around the world.

Hótel Loftleiður: While not heavily reported, sources tell us that Fischer has received free room and board at this hotel, a member of the Icelandair hotel chain.

* Goa chocolate and Stöd 2 are both owned by the same parent company, Baugur. However, other Baugur companies do not seem to have been as compliant. Fréttablaðið, the country’s largest newspaper, is also owned by Baugur, but was denied an interview with Fischer. Jón Kaldal, an editor at Fréttablaðið, has made the unusual complaint that Stöd 2 bought their story.

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