SportsAI imagePakistan Boycotts Israel in 2026 Chess Olympiad Opening Round
Pakistan refused to play against Israel in the opening round of the 2026 Chess Olympiad held in Samarkand, resulting in a 4-0 walkover for Israel. Pakistan's chess federation stated the boycott aligned with the government’s policy of not recognizing Israel and was intended to show solidarity with Palestinians. Officials emphasized the decision was based on state policy, not against sportsmanship or the players.
The Times Of India··Samarkand




