Photo: depositphotos.
In the decisive 11th round of the women’s tournament at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the Iranian chess team refused to compete against Israel, leading to a technical defeat with a score of 0:4. This boycott once again brings to light the unfortunate reality where politics interferes with sports, overshadowing the spirit of fair play.
Despite the political tensions, other teams showcased their brilliance. The Indian team emerged as the tournament champion, amassing 19 points, reaffirming their dominance in the chess world. Kazakhstan took second place with 18 points, while the U.S. team secured third with 17 points.
The Ukrainian team, demonstrating resilience throughout the tournament, finished in eighth place with 16 points. Israel’s team, despite the political boycott, ended in 13th place with 15 points.
This incident underscores that international sporting events should serve as a platform to unite people from diverse cultures and nations. Refusing to play due to political motives undermines the core principles of equality, mutual respect, and tolerance that form the foundation of sportsmanship. Chess, like any other sport, should foster cooperation and understanding, rather than creating new barriers.
