What's GM short doing?!

[Roger de Coverly]

That's ridiculous, most Iranian players bear no hatred whatever against Israeli players, I believe that Nigel has acknowledged this himself

If so, then why do the players persist in disrupting tournaments unless under direct instruction from their Federation or the Iranian authorities? Is not the FIDE motion an attempt to get the Federation to modify its behaviour and stop instructing its players to be disruptive?

[Jonathan Rogers]

That's ridiculous, most Iranian players bear no hatred whatever against Israeli players, I believe that Nigel has acknowledged this himself

If so, then why do the players persist in disrupting tournaments unless under direct instruction from their Federation or the Iranian authorities? Is not the FIDE motion an attempt to get the Federation to modify its behaviour and stop instructing its players to be disruptive?

well, that distinction is highly important, of course, and as I say, I would prfer insights from Soheil and other Iranian players on that score.

[NickFaulks]

So far as I can tell, Soheil has said that Iranian players would be happy to play Israelis and also that their federation does not force them not to do so. This makes their observed behaviour difficult to explain..

[Jonathan Rogers]

so far as I can tell, Soheil says that "most if not all" Iranian players would "fear the consequences" if they played an Israeli player. For anyone even to hint that they players might be choosing to miss or default these games because of personal animosity is quite indefensible, unless they have surprisingly good evidence up their sleeve.

[NickFaulks]

so far as I can tell, Soheil says that "most if not all" Iranian players would "fear the consequences" if they played an Israeli player. For anyone even to hint that they players might be choosing to miss or default these games because of personal animosity is quite indefensible, unless they have surprisingly good evidence up their sleeve.

So you believe the Iranian officials are lying when they insist that their players are acting purely on their own feelings when they refuse to play against Israelis. Fair enough, then how can they be allowed to continue to run a FIDE federation?

[Matt Mackenzie]

so far as I can tell, Soheil says that "most if not all" Iranian players would "fear the consequences" if they played an Israeli player. For anyone even to hint that they players might be choosing to miss or default these games because of personal animosity is quite indefensible, unless they have surprisingly good evidence up their sleeve.

So you believe the Iranian officials are lying when they insist that their players are acting purely on their own feelings when they refuse to play against Israelis. Fair enough, then how can they be allowed to continue to run a FIDE federation?

That is what the large weight of evidence would appear to suggest, yes.

[NickFaulks]

It is not a good look for the chess world generally that so many of their top players and arbiters either have escaped from their country or are being prevented from doing so.

The latest FIDE newsletter reveals that Sarasadat Khademalsharieh will play in the Gibraltar leg of the Women's Grand Prix, under the FID flag. This would suggest that the President's diplomatic efforts have succeeded in achieving her release, which is a good start.

[Nigel Short]

It is not a good look for the chess world generally that so many of their top players and arbiters either have escaped from their country or are being prevented from doing so.

The latest FIDE newsletter reveals that Sarasadat Khademalsharieh will play in the Gibraltar leg of the Women's Grand Prix, under the FID flag. This would suggest that the President's diplomatic efforts have succeeded in achieving her release, which is a good start.

Nick, I was also puzzled by that. On inquiry, it appears that it was a mistake, from the FIDE office, for listing Sara Khadem under the FIDE flag. They simply used an old template, involving Firouzja. It may look a bit suspicious, but it is just a cock-up.

[NickFaulks]

Nick, I was also puzzled by that. On inquiry, it appears that it was a mistake, from the FIDE office, for listing Sara Khadem under the FIDE flag. They simply used an old template, involving Firouzja. It may look a bit suspicious, but it is just a cock-up.

Yes, I also got that back, wasn't sure whether I was supposed to release it. Anyway, it does seem that she will be permitted to leave Iran, which we thought was not necessarily the case.