The Chess Olympiad is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, with over 200 countries competing this year.
Letting Israel participate in major sports events allows them to engage in sportswashing of their reputation and to project an image of normality to the world while they commit genocide and apartheid.
My name is Heather Richards and I am board 3 for the 2026 Australian Women’s Chess Olympiad Team.
Today, for round 7 of the 46th Chess Olympiad, the Australian Women’s Team has been paired against Israel. I was due to play this round, having rested the previous round.
I am not playing. I am participating in the sporting boycott of Israel.
Russia is currently banned from competing in the Chess Olympiad due to the invasion of Ukraine. Israel should be banned from the Chess Olympiad.
I am doing this because Israel is committing a genocide.
Congratulations on your very principled stand Heather Richards.
Thanks Mitch … People can pass their solidarity with Heather’s principled sacrifice @ https://lichess.org/forum/general-chess-discussion/46th-chess-olympiad-australian-player-boycotts-israel
Heather Richards is taking a lot of flack, atm.
Deliberately laying or tipping your king onto its side is a symbolic acknowledgement that the game is over. It has long been understood as a gesture of resignation. Sadly, one of the most famous chess grandmasters, Gary Kasparov, was a Zionist.
Ian