Pakistan Boycotts Chess Match Against Israel in Solidarity with Palestine
UrduPoint reports that Pakistan boycotted its chess match against Israel during the 2026 Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in solidarity with Palestine.
The Samarkand Olympiad, attended by teams from 203 countries, is played under the Swiss system. Despite Pakistan's lower international rankings, they remained competitive. However, a scheduled match against Israel was canceled due to Pakistan's government policy and lack of players willing to play against Israeli opponents.
Zeeshan Ali Naqvi, President of the Chess Federation of Pakistan, confirmed the decision to boycott, emphasizing Pakistan's clear stance on Israel. This resulted in a walkover for the Israeli team. While Pakistan's initial seeding was below 100, their chances of securing a higher position within the middle of the table remain intact.
The event comes amid broader geopolitical tensions and international support for Palestine.