From forfeit to boycott: Israel’s controversial run at the Chess Olympiad (New Indian Express, 2026-09-28)
https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/sports-news/2026/Sep/28/from-forfeit-to-boycott-israels-controversial-run-at-the-chess-olympiad
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>> Australia's top-ranked women's chess player Heather Richards chose to boycott her game against Israel at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad ...
>> ... "I am doing this because Israel is committing a genocide," she said in a statement published on Lichess*.
*) https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/46th-chess-olympiad-australian-player-boycotts-israel
>> ... that she did not want to participate in what she called “sportswashing” and questioned why Israel was allowed to compete while Russia remained excluded from international chess following its invasion of Ukraine.
>> "I oppose genocide. I oppose the Israeli apartheid which denies Palestinians basic rights and dignity. I oppose the illegal occupations of the Palestinian territories ..."
>> Her decision was an individual boycott rather than a withdrawal by the Australian team...
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