John Bosnitch, head of the Committee to Free Bobby Fischer, said Fischer's lawyer had advised him to seek political asylum in Japan even as he appeals against the deportation process, adding that the chess genius would decide whether to proceed on Tuesday.

"I know that she has given that advice, and I know that there is going to be a decision on whether to do so from Fischer by tomorrow," said Bosnitch.

Earlier, Masako Suzuki, the lawyer representing Fischer, said the chess genius had lodged a second appeal Monday against deportation with Japan's justice minister.

"We completed procedures in the appeal ahead of the deadline today after submitting a final document explaining why the deportation is not legitimate," she said.

Fischer was also in contact with several unspecified countries that might offer to accept him if the appeal is successful, Bosnitch said.

Washington has sought to arrest Fischer, 61, since 1992 when he defeated Boris Spassky in the former Yugoslavia in defiance of an international embargo on the country at the time. He scooped more than three million dollars in prize money.

Fischer, who became an American hero for wresting the world chess crown from Soviet domination during the Cold War, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

The outspoken chess master has been held at Tokyo's Narita airport since July 13 for using a passport which US officials said had been revoked.

His first appeal, filed within the immigration bureau at Narita, was rejected last week.

Bosnitch could not confirm a weekend report by Belgrade radio B92 that Fischer had decided to go to Serbia-Montenegro, if allowed to a third country.

But Bosnitch said: "I can tell you that Bobby Fischer likes Serbia-Montenegro and that he would be pleased to go there."

Official arrangements for Serbia-Montenegro or another country to agree to admit Fischer had still to be made, Bosnitch said.

"We are not just pursuing official arrangements with Serbia-Montenegro, but we are arranging official possibilities with several countries," Bosnitch added.

"So he would have a choice. Bobby Fischer would have a choice with quite a few different countries to go to -- not just one or two but quite a few ... if that country or the United Nations or somebody gives him travel documents."

The Belgrade radio station quoted Bozidar Ivanovic, chairman of the Montenegro's Chess Association, as saying Fischer had decided to opt for Serbia-Montenegro.

"I think we have moral obligations to help Fischer. He was punished because of our country. His decision is a compliment, not only in a chess or sports' world, for Serbia-Montenegro," it quoted him as saying.

Bosnitch also said last week that Fischer had German nationality because his father was German, and he might apply for a German passport to avoid deportation to the United States.

An immigration bureau official at Narita said if Fischer did so and deportation were then confirmed, Japan would send him to Germany if the maverick chess master opted for it rather than the United States.