Saudi chess tournament starts without Israeli players

[Disir]

An international chess tournament is starting in Saudi Arabia amid controversy after Israeli players were denied visas.

A Saudi official said visas could not be granted because the kingdom had no diplomatic ties with Israel.

The Israeli Chess Federation said it would seek financial compensation.

The hosting of this first major chess tournament is being seen as part of Saudi Arabia's process of opening itself more to the outside world.

But a double world champion has said she will boycott the tournament because she does not want to wear an abaya, the full-length, loose-fitting robes women are required to wear in public in Saudi Arabia.

• What can women still not do in Saudi Arabia?

Anna Muzychuk, 27, who plays for Ukraine, said that "despite the record prize fund, I am not going to play in Riyadh" even if that meant losing her two world championship titles.

The King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship is offering prizes of $750,000 (£560,000) for the open event and $250,000 for the women's event.
Storm brews over Saudi chess tournament

Things appear to have gone awry. Already.

 

[irosie91]

Anna Muzychuk, is a TRUE HEROINE

 

[shockedcanadian]

Just like the wrestling issue with Iran. This makes no sense to me, only shows you are afraid to lose. If they believed they would beat the Israeli players they would welcome them, without question. They will say it's political, but this is being held in Saudi Arabia, I'm not sure where the beef is.

As for Anna, I respect that. Just as I won't bow to another human being without a gun to my head, one shouldn't be forced to wear clothes they feel is culturally not their own, or that which they believe is offensive, belittles their own worth. Good for her.

 

[TheOldSchool]

Anna Muzychuk, is a TRUE HEROINE

Agreed. People shouldn't be bound by religious nonsense if they don't want to be.

 

[TheOldSchool]

Just like the wrestling issue with Iran. This makes no sense to me, only shows you are afraid to lose. If they believed they would beat the Israeli players they would welcome them, without question. They will say it's political, but this is being held in Saudi Arabia, I'm not sure where the beef is.

As for Anna, I respect that. Just as I won't bow to another human being without a gun to my head, one shouldn't be forced to wear clothes they feel is culturally not their own, or that which they believe is offensive, belittles their own worth. Good for her.

Probably most of the country does not care about chess, as is elsewhere, and officials cared more about not letting an Israeli in before the peace process is resolved.

 

[Dogmaphobe]

Anna Muzychuk, is a TRUE HEROINE

and probably hated by all the Islamist-defending leftists on this board.

 

[irosie91]

Anna Muzychuk, is a TRUE HEROINE

and probably hated by all the Islamist-defending leftists on this board.

The "left" is temporarily pixilated

 

[waltky]

Saudi Arabia gets away with barring Israelis from chess tournament...

Int’l Chess Federation Takes Flak For Allowing Saudis to Bar Israelis From World Champs
December 27, 2017 – The international chess federation is under fire for a decision to allow Saudi Arabia to host the world championships – for the first time – despite the kingdom’s refusal to comply with the body’s non-discrimination statutes.

Ahead of the King Salman world championships now underway in Riyadh, the federation known by the acronym FIDE touted the fact that it had negotiated permission for female players to compete without wearing a hijab or headscarf, or the abaya, the body-covering black cloak Saudi women must wear in public. Instead, women are required to wear “dark blue or black formal trouser suits, with high necked white blouses.” FIDE noted that the absence of a strict Islamic dress requirement for women was “a first for any sporting event in Saudi Arabia.”

It came just months after FIDE took flak after allowing Iran to host a women’s chess competition and require players to wear the hijab. Several high-profile players boycotted that event. But while FIDE secured permission to have the dress requirement relaxed for the Dec. 26-30 event, it appeared to unable to shift the Saudis on another key dogma – the boycott of Israel. FIDE said in an earlier statement that it “has raised with the organizers that there may be problems for players from certain countries.” “FIDE has not been advised that any player will not be able to participate,” it said. “FIDE is continuing to work with the organizers to ensure that visas will be issued to all players who have confirmed their participation.”

FIDE was able to get the Saudis to back down on an initial refusal to provide visas to players from Iran and Qatar. Iran is Saudi Arabia’s chief regional rival, and the kingdom is leading a campaign to isolate Qatar over allegations of support for extremism. In a Dec. 24 statement, FIDE announced the breakthrough on Iran and Qatar. FIDE has been working very hard and in a discreet manner to organize and safeguard the process of entry visas for all participants of the event,” it said, adding that Iranians and Qataris were free to take part. “As everybody clearly understands from the above, FIDE and the Saudi organizers are always ready to welcome any participant,” it said. But the statement was silent on Israel.

In a letter to FIDE, Israel Chess Federation head Zvika Barkai pointed out the absence of any reference in the statement to Israel, despite its claim that “FIDE and the Saudi organizers are always ready to welcome any participant.” Barkai asked FIDE to give an assurance that planned future Saudi-hosted events would be canceled, for compensation for Israeli players who were denied visas, and for FIDE to make clear such a situation will not happen again. FIDE’s handbook states that the federation “rejects discriminatory treatment for national, political, racial, social or religious reasons or on account of sex.” FIDE did not take up an invitation to comment on the situation regarding the Israeli boycott, but executive director Nigel Freeman said in an email that “FIDE will issue a full statement after the end of the event.” Queries sent to the Israel Chess Federation brought no response by press time.

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[irosie91]

it's like a GOLF HANDICAP credit for muzzies