Pakistan Forfeits Opening Match Against Israel at FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand
Pakistan's national chess team boycotted its opening-round match against Israel at the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, leading to a 4-0 walkover victory for Israel.
Pakistan's national chess team officially forfeited its opening-round fixture against Israel at the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, granting a 4-0 walkover victory to its opponents. The dramatic refusal to play, which saw not a single move made across the four scheduled boards in the Open section, stems from Pakistan's long-standing government policy of non-recognition towards Israel and a declared stance of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Indian Chess Teams Face Hotel Delay Ahead of 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand.
FIDE Chess Olympiad - Pakistan Boycotts Israel, Gives Walkover
Team Pakistan 🇵🇰 gives walkover to team Israel 🇮🇱 in the first round of the @FIDE_chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand.
The whole Pakistani team didn’t show up and gave away the full match point. pic.twitter.com/zVOVr5TtXN
— Aditya Sur Roy (@adityasurroy21) September 16, 2026
The incident occurred during Round 1 of the prestigious biennial tournament, currently underway at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand.
Adherence to State Policy
Syed Zeeshan Naqvi, President of the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP), confirmed the decision, stating it was in line with the country's official policy. "We have boycotted the match to express solidarity with the Palestinian people," Naqvi asserted.
This is not an isolated incident, as Pakistani sports teams have historically avoided competing against Israeli counterparts in various international arenas. The CFP reiterated that while Pakistan remains committed to participating in global sporting events, its national teams are mandated to uphold the government's diplomatic guidelines.
Tournament Impact and Team Composition
The walkover immediately placed Israel with four game points in the Open section standings. Despite forfeiting the opening round, Pakistan remains eligible to compete in the remaining 10 rounds of the 11-round Swiss-system tournament. Where To Watch FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 Free Live Streaming Online in India.
Israel's Open team includes notable Grandmasters such as Ilia Smirin and Maxim Rodshtein. Pakistan's contingent features FIDE Masters Muhammad Waqar and Amer Karim, among others.
The FIDE Chess Olympiad continues until September 27, with the incident casting a significant political shadow over the early stages of one of the largest team chess events in the world. Pakistan's decision highlights the complex interplay between sports and geopolitics on the international stage.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2026 01:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
