Longview Daily News Longview, Washington Tuesday, July 27, 1976 - Page 12
Soviet Chess Master Seeks Political Asylum
Amsterdam, the Netherlands (AP) — Soviet chess grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi, rated No. 2 in the world, applied today for political asylum in the Netherlands, police reported.
The 45-year-old Korchnoi is rated just behind world champion Anatoly Karpov, also of the Soviet Union, among players currently competing on the international chess circuit.
Police said Korchnoi called at the aliens department of Amsterdam police headquarters this morning to lodge his request. He spent an hour with police officials before leaving.
“Mr. Korchnoi asked for political asylum and we have relayed his request to the Justice Ministry in The Hague,” a police spokesman said. “Meanwhile, he is free to go where he wishes.”
Korchnoi came to the Netherlands to participate in the annual IBM chess championship which ended last week. The Soviet grandmaster shared first place with the young British player Anthony Miles.
Korchnoi lost to Karpov in the world challengers' final in 1974 for the chance to play Bobby Fischer. The American chess star later withdrew from the international chess scene and gave up the world title by default.
After the match with Karpov, Korchnoi claimed the win had been irregular. He was severely criticized for this in the Soviet press and later admitted he had been wrong and was reconciled with Karpov and the Soviet Chess Union.
The crux of Korchnoi's complaint was not clearly known here.
Korchnoi's wife is still in the Soviet Union. They have no children.
Photo Caption: Applies for Asylum — Soviet chess grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi, right, rated No. 2 in the world, applied today for political asylum in the Netherlands, police reported in Amsterdam. Korchnoi, 45, is shown with Britain's Antony Bliss in Amsterdam last Sunday after they shared first place in the annual IBM tournament.
