Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Israel Chess Federation Blasts FIDE Over Olympiad Match Forfeitures
The Israel Chess Federation is upset with FIDE, the organization that runs international chess events.
Its chairman, Dr Zvika Barkai, said FIDE broke promises it had made.
He said the rules did not clearly explain how the issue would be handled.
Barkai said FIDE planned to talk privately with the teams playing against Israel.
He believed this avoided public discussion of the matter.
He also said FIDE did very little in practice.
Because of this, Israel’s chess officials said they were very angry.
The report concerns forfeited matches in the Chess Olympiad.
The Israel Chess Federation said it was very angry with the International Chess Federation, known as FIDE.
Chairman Dr Zvika Barkai said FIDE failed to honor commitments it had made.
Barkai said the issue was not included in the tournament regulations.
He said FIDE planned to speak with teams Israel was drawn against privately.
Barkai said FIDE did almost nothing to address the issue and criticized its handling.
- Who
- The Israel Chess Federation, its chairman Dr Zvika Barkai, and the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
- What
- The Israel Chess Federation criticized FIDE after chess Olympiad matches involving Israel were forfeited.
- Why
- Barkai said FIDE failed to honor commitments, did not include the issue in the tournament regulations, and did little to address it.
- Organization criticizing FIDE
- Israel Chess Federation
- FIDE description
- International Chess Federation
- Israeli official quoted
- Dr Zvika Barkai, chairman of the Israel Chess Federation
- Main complaint
- FIDE allegedly failed to honor commitments it had made
- Rules complaint
- The issue was not included in the tournament regulations
- FIDE’s planned approach
- Speaking with the teams Israel was drawn against
- Reported consequence
- Forfeited Chess Olympiad matches