Israel forfeits Chess Olympiad matches against Netherlands, Bulgaria; here's why

Grandmaster Anish Giri during the Global Chess League 2026, in Bengaluru. (PTI Photo)

Israel's men and women teams forfeited their sixth-round matches against the Netherlands and Bulgaria at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand on Monday after both opponents declined requests to change the schedule for Yom Kippur.The Israeli men's team was due to face the Netherlands in the Open section, while the women's team was scheduled to play Bulgaria. However, neither team showed up at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre, leaving two empty tables and handing their opponents 4-0 wins by forfeit. The Netherlands had world No. 10 Anish Giri on Board 1.

According to a FIDE statement, as quotd by Hindustan Times, Israel had formally requested that Monday's matches either start after 7:30pm local time or be moved to Tuesday, the tournament's rest day.

The request was made because of Yom Kippur, considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.Teams are within their rights to reject requests that involve a change from the tournament's standard playing times. The Netherlands and Bulgaria did not agree to Israel's proposed changes, leading to the forfeits after the Israeli teams failed to appear for their matches.

Israel had made a similar request ahead of the fifth round on Sunday, asking for an early start because of Yom Kippur.

Singapore's men's team and Colombia's women's team agreed to the change, allowing those matches to be played as requested.Monday's matches followed a different course, with both the Netherlands and Bulgaria declining Israel's request.The forfeits came after another Israel-related incident in the opening round. Pakistan refused to play Israel in an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people, handing Israel a 4-0 win by forfeit.