Spassky in plea to Bush for Fischer

FORMER world chess champion Boris Spassky has appealed to US President George W Bush to show mercy to former rival Bobby Fischer and not seek his extradition from Japan, according to a copy of a letter faxed to the media.

Fischer is wanted by the United States for violating international sanctions by playing a rematch against Spassky in the former Yugoslavia in 1992.

Japan detained Fischer last month at Narita International Airport for allegedly trying to board a plane for the Philippines with an invalid passport. Fischer is currently fighting a deportation order.