Chess Olympiad 2026: Israel forfeits Round 6 clash against Netherlands over Yom Kippur observance

Israel forfeited its Round 6 Open section match against the Netherlands after its request to alter the schedule for Yom Kippur was declined. | Photo Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE

Israel forfeited its sixth-round Open section match against the Netherlands at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand on Monday after the two teams could not agree on a revised schedule for Yom Kippur observance.

FIDE confirmed that Israel requested either a later start, after Yom Kippur ended, or for the tie to be played on Tuesday, the tournament’s scheduled rest day. The Netherlands declined the proposed change, leaving Israel absent at the scheduled start. The Dutch team was consequently awarded a 4-0 forfeit victory.

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The situation differed from Round 5 on Sunday. Israel’s Open match against Singapore and women’s match against Colombia were advanced and moved to the Savitsky Hotel after both opponents agreed to the change. FIDE said the arrangement allowed the Israeli teams to complete their games before the Yom Kippur fast and prayer period began.

Israel’s women’s team also forfeited 4-0 against Bulgaria on Monday after a similar rescheduling request was declined.