Pakistan refused to play Israel within the opening spherical of the forty sixth FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Wednesday, handing Israel a 4-0 win by walkover.Pakistan didn’t discipline any participant for the scheduled match, leaving all 4 boards unplayed.The Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) mentioned the choice adopted the Pakistani authorities’s coverage in the direction of Israel and was additionally meant to point out solidarity with Palestinians.
Pakistan cites state coverage
Gauhar Iqbal, Secretary Common of the Pakistan Chess Federation, defined that the choice was based mostly on Pakistan’s official place and never on the gamers concerned.“It was very apparent that when we don’t acknowledge a state,how can we play or how can we get engaged with that state? It is a state coverage, and now we have to observe the state as we’re right here to symbolize Pakistan, and now we have to observe the insurance policies of Pakistan,” Gauhar Iqbal, Secretary Common of Pakistan Chess Federation, advised ChessBase India, explaining why Pakistan selected in opposition to taking up Israel in Spherical 1 of the Chess Olympiad 2026“So we’re right here. It’s nothing in opposition to any participant. It’s nothing in opposition to any sportsman spirit. It is in opposition to the state’s coverage, and now we have adopted that.”
Pakistan to proceed worldwide participation
CFP President Syed Zeeshan Naqvi additionally mentioned the boycott was supposed to specific assist for the Palestinian individuals. “We’ve boycotted the match to specific solidarity with the Palestinian individuals,” Naqvi mentioned.Naqvi mentioned Pakistan would proceed to take part in worldwide sporting occasions whereas following the federal government’s official place on Israel.The Pakistan-Israel match was a part of the opening spherical of the biennial Chess Olympiad. Since Pakistan didn’t participate, Israel obtained a 4-0 victory and not using a single transfer being performed.The Chess Olympiad is being held in Samarkand from September 15 to 27, with separate open and girls’s competitions.Greater than 390 groups are collaborating throughout the 2 sections. The occasion brings collectively nationwide groups from world wide and is likely one of the greatest tournaments on the worldwide chess calendar.