Pakistani Pulls Out of Chess Match With Israeli

How many Muslims have pulled out of wrestling matches, fencing matches, swimming matches, judo matches, and so many more, in order to avoid having to face, horribile dictu, an Israeli opponent? The Iranians have been especially determined not to face Israeli opponents.

Here’s just a handful of examples of Muslim athletes, some forced by their governments, others determined on their own not to face Israelis in competition, or to display contempt for Israeli athletes:

•      2004 Athens Olympics: Iranian judoka Arash Miresmaeili intentionally exceeded the weight limit to avoid competing against Israel’s Ehud Vaks.
•      2012 London Olympics: Iranian judoka Javad Mahjoub withdrew from his match before facing Israel’s Arik Zeevi.
•      2019 World Championships: Iranian authorities pressured judoka Saeid Mollaei to throw his match to avoid facing Israel’s Sagi Muki, leading Mollaei to defect.
•      2016 Rio Olympics: Egyptian judoka Islam El Shehaby refused to shake hands with Israel’s Or Sasson after their match.
•      2020 Tokyo Olympics: Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine and Sudanese judoka Mohamed Abdalrasool both withdrew from the tournament rather than face Israel’s Tohar Butbul.
•      2026 FIDE World Chess Olympiad: Pakistan forfeited its opening-round match against Israel in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, handing Israel an automatic 4-0 default win in alignment with state non-recognition policies.
•      2008 Beijing Olympics: Iranian swimmer Mohammad Alirezaei and Syrian swimmer Bayan Jumah withdrew from their respective events to avoid sharing a heat with Israeli swimmers.
•      2024 Beach Soccer World Winners Cup: Omani club Al Amerat SC withdrew and Kuwaiti club Qadsia SC refused to play against a team representing Israel during the tournament in Italy.
•      2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam: Kuwaiti gold medalist Jassim Alhatem refused to shake hands with or pose for photos alongside Israeli bronze medalist Yoav Manor during the medal ceremony.

It’s the Pakistani player’s loss; he might have taken home a medal had he played the Israeli. And it’s Pakistan’s loss, too, for its want of sportsmanship rankles. All that has happened is that the Israeli opponent has been given an automatic win. The Muslim players who go home empty-handed because they refused to play an Israeli and forfeited a match or may even have been banned from a competition have only their sports federations to blame. But they return home with one consolation — their deep belief that they at least have the consolation that they have stood up for the “Palestinians” and have done Islam proud.

The latest example of sacrificing a possible win, or even a championship, in order not to play against an Israeli, took place at FIDE’s World Chess Olympiad being held in Samarkand. The Pakistani government has just made one of its players pull out of, and thereby forfeit, a match where he was scheduled to play an Israeli. That’s Pakistan’s way of expressing solidarity with the “Palestinians” — deprive its own players of the chance for glory and a medal. They are not individuals but must be ghazis, warriors for the faith, prepared to sacrifice for the glory of Islam.

More on the Pakistani withdrawal from this opening match can be found here: “Pakistani chess team forfeits opening match against Israel at chess Olympiad in Samarkand,” by Alex Carson, Jerusalem Post, September 17, 2026:

The Pakistani national chess team forfeited its opening-round match against Israel at the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, handing its opponents an automatic 4-0 walkover victory on Wednesday.

The match was scheduled for the opening round of the international tournament, but the Pakistani squad chose not to field players on any of the four boards in the Open section. Official tournament records listed the two national teams as opponents, but all four boards remained unplayed.

The Pakistanis did not withdraw just from one game against an Israeli player, but chose not to field players on any of the four boards in the Open section, and the four possible matches, thus forfeiting a chance to win in all of them.

Addressing the decision in statements to local news outlets, Pakistan Chess Federation President Syed Zeeshan Naqvi explained that the forfeit aligned with the country’s official diplomatic position regarding Israel. “We have boycotted the match to express solidarity with the Palestinian people,” Naqvi told local reporters.

Wouldn’t the better way for the Pakistanis to have handled things, instead of depriving their players from a chance to shine against the hated Israelis, and handing Israel an automatic victory by forfeit, have been to play as best as they could, and with especial fervor against Israeli players?

Israel wins 4-0 in every game where Pakistan refuses to play and forfeits the match. And Pakistan comes off as a nasty spoilsport and a loser. How does that outcome improve things for the “Palestinians”?