Pakistan reportedly boycotted their first-round tie against Israel in the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad at Samarkand.
According to reports, the Pakistan team did not show up for the round, as a result of which they were adjudged to have forfeited the tie, giving Israel a 4-0 win.
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Syed Zeeshan Naqvi, President of the Chess Federation of Pakistan, was quoted by the Times of Karachi as saying the team boycotted the round "to express solidarity with the Palestinian people".
The government of Pakistan has often condemned Israeli military action on Palestine and Iran. Individuals and groups have expressed solidarity with Palestine in different fields, including in an ongoing tour of the US by musician Ed Sheeran.
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According to Gaza's Health Ministry, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in the nearly three-year Israel-Hamas war.
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Pakistan were not the favourites in the tie against Israel, considering their significantly inferior ratings. Pakistan did not have a player titled higher than an FM (Fide Master, which is two levels below the title of a GM) in the pairings, while all four Israeli players were GMs (Grandmasters).
Defending champions India won their opening round in the open section, but had a surprise result on the top board. Arjun Erigaisi lost to IM Prin Laohawirapap while India won on the other three boards to secure a 3-1 result. World Champion D Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi and Kerala's Nihal Sarin posted wins for India in the open section.
Pakistan has been involved in other controversies on the sporting front with regard to cricket and hockey. Recently, the Indian women's cricket team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy because it was to be given by Mohsin Naqvi, the chief of the Asian Cricket Council.
In a more recent development, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has asked the Asian Hockey Federation to shift its matches in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy out of India to a neutral venue.
It would be interesting to see if India and Pakistan draw each other in the chess Olympiad, though it seems unlikely because teams are paired with those that have the same or similar scores.
Compiled by Arun George
