Pakistan boycotted its scheduled match against Israel at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, citing the country’s policy on Israel and expressing solidarity with Palestine.
The two teams were scheduled to face each other in the opening round of the tournament on September 16, but Pakistan did not take part in the match.
Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) President Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi said the decision was in line with Pakistan’s longstanding policy regarding Israel.
According to Naqvi, the country follows the same position in sporting events and the federation could not participate in a match that went against the government’s policy.
“We are not playing the match to express solidarity with Palestine,” Naqvi said.
As a result of Pakistan not playing the match, Israel was awarded the points.
Naqvi said Pakistan would continue participating in international sporting events while respecting the government’s official position on Israel.
Pakistan’s Open team at the Olympiad includes FM Muhammad Waqar, FM Amer Karim, CM Mafaaz Khalid, Zaman Sohail and Zorez Shabkhez, with Raja Gauhar serving as captain.
Israel’s Open team includes grandmasters Ilia Smirin, Maxim Rodshtein, Ido Gorshtein and Yahli Sokolovsky, along with Avital Boruchovsky.
The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is being held in Samarkand from September 15 to 27. The tournament includes separate Open and Women’s sections and has attracted hundreds of national teams from around the world.
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