Chess Olympiad forfeit row: Israel blasts FIDE for not honouring ‘commitments’

 Israel Chess Federation chief Zvika Barkai has accused FIDE of failing to honour a prior agreement over scheduling Israel’s Chess Olympiad matches around Yom Kippur. Both Israeli teams forfeited their Round 6 games after the Netherlands and Bulgaria declined schedule changes. Barkai praised Singapore and Colombia for accommodating Israel, criticised FIDE’s handling, and warned the forfeits could significantly affect Israel’s rankings. Israel Chess Federation chief Zvika Barkai has accused FIDE of failing to honour a prior agreement over scheduling Israel’s Chess Olympiad matches around Yom Kippur. Both Israeli teams forfeited their Round 6 games after the Netherlands and Bulgaria declined schedule changes. Barkai praised Singapore and Colombia for accommodating Israel, criticised FIDE’s handling, and warned the forfeits could significantly affect Israel’s rankings.