Saudi Arabia has lost its right to host an upcoming international chess tournament over its discrimination against Israeli players.
The Fédération lnternationale des Échecs (FIDE) decided to cancel this month’s World Blitz and Rapid [Chess] Championship in Riyadh after Israeli players contacted the sport’s governing body, pointing out that when, the same tournament was held last December in the Saudi capital, they were denied visas to enter the country to compete.
Despite a slight thaw in the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Israel over the last few years due to shared worries about Iran’s role in the region, the Kingdom does not recognise Israel and does not permit Israeli nationals to enter the country.
In October, lawyers acting for the Israeli players wrote to FIDE, pointing out that the Federation’s inability to secure entry visas for Israeli nationals last year meant that the organisation was in breach of its own policies and statutes.
