# Pakistan forfeits Chess Olympiad 2026 match against Israel, hands 4-0 walkover

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/sports/pakistan-forfeits-chess-olympiad-2026-match-against-israel-hands-4-0-walkover)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 17 Sept 2026
Updated: 17 Sept 2026
Retrieved: 17 Sept 2026

> The Chess Federation of Pakistan boycotted its round 1 open-section match in Samarkand in solidarity with Palestinians. Israel was awarded all 4 boards.

Pakistan refused to play Israel in the opening round of the **46th FIDE Chess Olympiad** in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Israel was given a **4-0 walkover**, with all 4 boards recorded as unplayed. The Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) said the boycott was a protest in support of the Palestinians. Pakistan is continuing in the rest of the tournament.

## What happened

Pakistan's open team was drawn against Israel in round 1 on Wednesday 16 September. The team did not turn up, so the match was recorded as a forfeit and the points went to Israel.

"We have boycotted the match to express solidarity with the Palestinian people," CFP president Syed Zeeshan Naqvi said, according to The Express Tribune. The federation said it could not play a match that went against the government's official policy on Israel. Pakistan does not recognise Israel.

## The event

- **Tournament:** 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, the biggest team event in chess
- **Venue:** Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- **Dates:** 15 to 27 September 2026
- **Size:** more than 390 teams across the open and women's sections, the Tribune reported

## Pakistan's open team

- FM Muhammad Waqar
- FM Amer Karim
- CM Mafaaz Khalid
- Zaman Sohail
- Zorez Shabkhez
- Captain: Raja Gauhar

FM stands for FIDE Master and CM for Candidate Master, both FIDE titles.

## What the forfeit costs Pakistan

At an Olympiad, teams earn match points for each win or draw and game points for each board. A 4-0 forfeit gives Pakistan nothing from round 1 and gives Israel a full match win. Under the Swiss pairing system, a zero start usually means weaker opponents in the next rounds. Pakistan can therefore still recover, but its final position will start one match behind.

## Has Pakistan done this before?

Pakistan has pulled out of a Chess Olympiad before. In July 2022 it withdrew from the 44th Olympiad in Chennai, India, after the torch relay passed through Indian-administered Kashmir. "Pakistan condemns India's mischievous attempt to mix politics with sports. As a protest, Pakistan has decided not to participate," its Foreign Office said then, as reported by The Tribune (India).

This time the federation stayed in the event and refused to play only one opponent. Earlier this year, Al Jazeera reported on 1 February that Pakistan would boycott its T20 World Cup cricket match against India on 15 February.

## Why it matters

Chess is a small sport in Pakistan, and the Olympiad is one of the few chances for local players to face titled opponents from around the world. Every lost round counts for players chasing rating gains and norms. The CFP has not said what it would do if Pakistan is drawn against Israel again later in the event.

Pakistan's athletes are also in Japan this week. See our [Asian Games 2026 guide](/news/sports/asian-games-2026-pakistan-sends-246-to-japan-in-23-sports-arshad-nadeem-leads-ho) for the full contingent, and our [cricket match centre](/cricket) for the women's semi-final.

## Frequently asked questions

**Why did Pakistan not play Israel at the Chess Olympiad?**

The Chess Federation of Pakistan boycotted the match in solidarity with the Palestinian people and cited the government's policy on Israel.

**Where is the Chess Olympiad 2026?**

Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 15 to 27 September 2026.

**What was the result of Pakistan vs Israel at the Chess Olympiad?**

Israel was given a 4-0 walkover because Pakistan did not play.

## Sources

- Pakistan boycotts Israel chess match (17 Sep 2026) (The Express Tribune): https://tribune.com.pk/story/2629667/pakistan-boycotts-israel-chess-match
- Pakistan Boycotts Chess Olympiad Match Against Israel (17 Sep 2026) (ProPakistani): https://propakistani.pk/2026/09/17/pakistan-boycotts-chess-olympiad-match-against-israel/
- Pakistan boycotts Israel match at FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026, hands 4-0 walkover (Free Press Journal): https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/pakistan-boycotts-israel-match-at-fide-chess-olympiad-2026-in-solidarity-with-palestinians-hands-4-0-walkover
- Pak pulls out of Chess Olympiad (28 Jul 2022) (The Tribune (India)): https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/pak-pulls-out-of-chess-olympiad-416568
- Pakistan to boycott T20 World Cup match against India on February 15 (1 Feb 2026) (Al Jazeera): https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/2/1/pakistan-to-boycott-t20-world-cup-match-against-india-on-february-15

How to cite: "Pakistan forfeits Chess Olympiad 2026 match against Israel, hands 4-0 walkover", Searchable, 17 Sept 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/sports/pakistan-forfeits-chess-olympiad-2026-match-against-israel-hands-4-0-walkover