Chessdom is carrying the news that GM Ghaem Maghami (Iran) has been excluded from the Corsica Masters after refusing to play FM Ehud Shachar (Israel) in the 4th round of the tournament. Maghami requested a different opponent, but the organisers refused to change the pairings, and stated that Maghami had entered the tournament in the knowledge that there were 5 players from Israel in the field.
Seems like a pretty straight forward decision to me, although in other events (eg last years Olympiad) organsiers have let the forfeit stand, but have not disqualified the player from the tournament.
This of course may now open the floodgates in terms of scoring extra points off Iranian GM's. A well timed "Shalom" as you go to shake hands may result in a surprisingly quick victory, as well as eliminating a potential rival for the top prizes.
5 comments:
"This of course may now open the floodgates in terms of scoring extra points off Iranian GM's. A well timed "Shalom" as you go to shake hands may result in a surprisingly quick victory, as well as eliminating a potential rival for the top prizes."
What a great quote!
cheers
Henrik Mortensen
Religion should not be an issue in Chess or any sport. The Iranian should be given the boot !!
I think the issue is more like a boycott, like apartheid, based on a sense of injustice over the occupied territories. I don't know how this works on an individual level, because boycotts usually occur in a more organised way. I do not think he should have been disqualified - that seems like a political statement as well.
Here is another angle to this: Are Iranian players _officially_ allowed to play Israelis? If not, perhaps it was a choice between the forfeit and jail ...
Not impressed. sort it out israel iran, the world has bigger problems
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