'Nothing against sportsman spirit': Pakistan explain decision to boycott Israel

Pakistan chose not to field team against Israel (Screengrabs from GyanMaster and ChessBase India)

Pakistan refused to play Israel in the opening round of the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Wednesday, handing Israel a 4-0 win by walkover.Pakistan did not field any player for the scheduled match, leaving all four boards unplayed.

The Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) said the decision followed the Pakistani government's policy towards Israel and was also meant to show solidarity with Palestinians.

Pakistan cites state policy

Gauhar Iqbal, Secretary General of the Pakistan Chess Federation, explained that the decision was based on Pakistan's official position and not on the players involved."It was very obvious that when we do not recognize a state,how can we play or how can we get engaged with that state? It's a state policy, and we have to follow the state as we are here to represent Pakistan, and we have to follow the policies of Pakistan," Gauhar Iqbal, Secretary General of Pakistan Chess Federation, told ChessBase India, explaining why Pakistan chose against taking on Israel in Round 1 of the Chess Olympiad 2026"So we are here. It is nothing against any player. It is nothing against any sportsman spirit.

It's against the state's policy, and we have followed that."

Pakistan to continue international participation

CFP President Syed Zeeshan Naqvi also said the boycott was intended to express support for the Palestinian people. "We have boycotted the match to express solidarity with the Palestinian people," Naqvi said.

Naqvi said Pakistan would continue to participate in international sporting events while following the government's official position on Israel.

The Pakistan-Israel match was part of the opening round of the biennial Chess Olympiad. Since Pakistan did not take part, Israel received a 4-0 victory without a single move being played.The Chess Olympiad is being held in Samarkand from September 15 to 27, with separate open and women's competitions.More than 390 teams are taking part across the two sections. The event brings together national teams from around the world and is one of the biggest tournaments on the international chess calendar.