Another Political Boycott of Israel

by kevinspraggettonchess · Published October 17, 2019 · Updated October 18, 2019

FIDE Finally Set to Act?

Another Iranian chess player has preferred to forfeit his game rather than play with an Israeli chess player. This time at the World Junior Championship in New Delhi, India.

This occurred in round 4 when Iranian IM Aryan Gholami refused to play Israeli master Alexander Zlatin, and therefore the Israeli player was declared victor.

It is not yet clear what, if anything, will now happen to the Iranian player. Will he be expelled from the tournament? Or will he be allowed to continue to play?

FIDE VP Nigel Short talks of ‘consequences’, but considering FIDE’s history of non-compliance of it’s own regulations — including under FIDE president’s Arkady Dvorkovich watch — little more than a slight slap on the wrist can be expected. And maybe not even that…

The History of the Israeli Boycott & FIDE