2026 Chess Olympiad: Israel Forfeits Due to Yom Kippur, FIDE's Helplessness and the Lesson on Flexibility

In the silent hall of the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, an unforgettable scene unfolded on the afternoon of Monday, September 21. The Netherlands team walked into the playing area, ready for their sixth-round match in the Open section. But across the board, there was no one. Their opponent, Israel, had not shown up. Not a single piece was moved, not a single move was recorded. Only emptiness and the whispers of spectators. In the Women's section, Bulgaria experienced a similar feeling when the Israeli women's team failed to appear. Both matches were awarded to the Netherlands and Bulgaria with a 4-0 score by forfeit. It was a shock for a tournament considered a celebration of intellect and sportsmanship.

The 2026 Chess Olympiad is in full swing in Samarkand, bringing together hundreds of top players from around the world. This year's event features 188 countries and territories competing in two sections: Open and Women's. Israel, a country with a strong chess tradition, sent both men's and women's teams. They were seeded 22nd in both sections, not a top position but enough to compete for a place in the later rounds. After five rounds, both teams had won four matches, showing consistent form and high ambitions.

However, the tournament schedule coincided with one of the most important Jewish holidays: Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur runs from sunset on September 20 to sunset on September 21, 2026. On this day, observant Jews fast, abstain from drinking, and devote their time to prayer and repentance. For Israeli athletes, competing on this holiday is unacceptable.

Aware of this, the Israeli team had submitted a formal request to the World Chess Federation (FIDE) in advance. For round five, they asked to play earlier than the standard schedule. Singapore's Open team and Colombia's Women's team, their opponents in that round, agreed. The matches were moved to the Savitsky Hotel and started one hour and fifteen minutes earlier, allowing the Israeli players to finish before sundown. It was a beautiful gesture, demonstrating sportsmanship and respect for cultural diversity.

But in round six, the situation changed. Israel again requested FIDE to postpone the match to after 7:30 PM on Monday, or to move it to Tuesday, the rest day. FIDE contacted the new opponents, the Netherlands (Open) and Bulgaria (Women's), to negotiate. However, both teams refused. According to FIDE's statement, these teams 'are fully entitled to decline such a request.' As a result, when Israel did not appear, they were forfeited 0-4.

This incident exposes a flaw in the organization of international tournaments: sports federations often fail to account for religious and cultural diversity when scheduling, leading to awkward situations where one group's rights are weighed against the fairness of the competition. FIDE, as the global chess governing body, tried to resolve it by contacting the opponents but could not impose. This shows FIDE lacks a flexible mechanism to handle such exceptions. Meanwhile, the refusal by the Netherlands and Bulgaria, while fully legal, raises questions about sportsmanship. They did not violate any rules, but are they missing an opportunity to show respect for a sacred holiday?

Notably, there is a difference between round 5 and round 6. In round 5, Singapore and Colombia agreed to change, perhaps because they recognized the importance of Yom Kippur or simply had enough time to adjust. But in round 6, the Netherlands and Bulgaria refused. They might have worried that changing the schedule would affect their focus or strategy. Or they might have felt no need to accommodate. Whatever the reason, their action cost Israel valuable points.

For the Israeli team, forfeiting both sections was a heavy blow. They were in the middle rounds, where every point can decide the final standings. As the 22nd seed, they aimed for a top-20 finish or higher. Losing four points to the Netherlands and Bulgaria not only affects their ranking but could also demoralize the players. However, in a way, Israel strictly adhered to its religious laws, and that deserves respect.

From the perspective of the Netherlands and Bulgaria, their refusal may stem from various reasons. The Netherlands is competing for a top-10 spot, and every match matters. They might fear that changing the playing time would disrupt their players' circadian rhythms, especially since they are used to a fixed schedule. Bulgaria is similar, as they strive to improve their ranking. However, both teams knew their opponents would be forfeited if absent. Accepting the schedule change would not only be a nice gesture but could also help them maintain fitness and focus, instead of taking an incomplete victory. But in elite sports, self-interest often comes first.

On international chess forums, opinions were divided. Some supported Israel, arguing that FIDE needs stronger measures to protect players' religious freedom. Others believed Israel should accept that they joined a tournament with a fixed schedule, and requesting changes is unfair to opponents. Some criticized the Netherlands and Bulgaria for lacking sportsmanship, while others defended them, saying they were protecting their legitimate interests.

From another angle, one could argue that Israel could have avoided this situation with better planning. From the start, they knew Yom Kippur would fall at this time. They could have asked FIDE to arrange their schedule to avoid the holiday when the tournament was announced. Instead of waiting round by round, they could have negotiated with all potential opponents in advance. However, that is not simple in a tournament with hundreds of teams and a tight schedule. FIDE also bears responsibility for not having a clear procedure for such cases.

Another overlooked aspect is the Israeli women's team. While the men's team received much media attention, the women's team was also forfeited against Bulgaria. This reflects a long-standing reality: women's chess is often overshadowed by men's chess. The Israeli female players faced pressure to compete, had to observe the holiday, and now lost points unfairly. The value of a female player is not on the scoreboard, but in the fate of girls who dare to dream. They deserve to be seen not just as losers but as silent warriors.

The Israeli women's team, with a similar record to the men's, also hoped for a top-20 finish. They had a strong start with four wins in five rounds. The forfeit against Bulgaria not only cost them four precious points but could also affect the morale of the female players. In a sport where women still struggle for recognition, these compounded difficulties highlight inequality. Yet, in adversity, they showed resilience. The Israeli female players proved they are not just rule-followers but also inspirations.

Based on my experience covering matches at many Olympiads, I have noticed that religious and cultural issues are often marginalized in discussions about strategy and results. We focus on moves and combinations, forgetting that behind each piece is a person with their own beliefs and identity. The Samarkand incident is a reminder that sports are not separate from society. International tournaments need more flexible provisions to respect athletes' beliefs and cultures while ensuring fairness.

FIDE should consider establishing a process that allows teams to register important religious holidays in advance, with a transparent negotiation mechanism with opponents. Israel has shown steadfastness in its faith but also needs to consider diplomatic strategies to minimize damage. As for the Netherlands and Bulgaria, they have the right to refuse, but history will remember how they treated opponents in difficult circumstances.

Under public pressure, FIDE may have to review its procedures. In the future, major tournaments like the Olympiad should have a dedicated committee for religious and cultural issues, working with national federations to ensure no team is put in an awkward position. This would not only protect athletes' rights but also enhance chess's image as a global sport that respects diversity.

The forgotten queens – the Israeli women's team – were not mentioned much in this story. But they are the ones who suffered the heaviest losses. Meanwhile, from another perspective, I have seen a generation of female players ready to attack, and I believe they will never retreat. Even if the match is forfeited, they will continue to fight on the board.

In the summer of Samarkand, I went looking for queens whose names are not on the map. And I found them – the Israeli players, who chose faith over points. Will the chess world learn from this story? The answer lies in how we organize the next tournaments.