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  • Monday, 21 September 2026

Chess Olympiad forfeit row: Israel blasts FIDE for not honouring 'commitments'

Israel Chess Federation chief Zvika Barkai has accused FIDE of failing to honour a prior agreement over scheduling Israel’s Chess Olympiad matches around Yom Kippur. Both Israeli teams forfeited their Round 6 games after the Netherlands and Bulgaria declined schedule changes. Barkai praised Singapore and Colombia for accommodating Israel, criticised FIDE’s handling, and warned the forfeits could significantly affect Israel’s rankings.

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