Tragically, perhaps inevitably, the immemorial antipathy existing between Israel and the Arab world has tumbled into the unifying arena of chess. Lovers of the sport must feel a deep sense of dismay over the recent incident at the 15-year-old Corsican Circuit when GM Ghaem Maghami of Iran refused adamantly to play against his fourth round opponent FM Ehud Shachar of Israel.
The Iranian, in fact, showed little regard for the protocol of the game by demanding a re-pairing. The organisers refused, of course, and the game was forfeited. As a result, the chess playing world may well ask in anguish, will this kind of relentless animosity now keep repeating itself whenever players from these two countries meet in open competition?
It is deeply depressing to think that this centuries old sport, renowned for the camaraderie and unity it fosters at all levels, will now be sullied by the politics of hate. This sour episode, in fact, could hardly have occurred at a more encouraging example of the game’s positive attributes. The 15th edition of the Corsican Circuit was staged on an island that breaks the world record for per capita number of chess players; 5,375 active participants in a population of 300,000.
In spite of difficult economic circumstances, organisers of the October event were able to maintain the same level of prizes (95,000 euros) as before, having mobilised a total of 124 sponsors! The authorities in T&T should take note. According to a Chessbase report, hundreds of young people participate in this annual festive event “which this year welcomed more than 800 friends from all the five continents.”
As far as Double Rooks can see, this Corsican chess festival ideally exemplifies the admirable motto of the world chess body, “gens una sumus” which means “we are one people.” That the Iranians can uncaringly dismiss the guiding principle of FIDE and the spirit of brotherhood informing the Corsican event to carry on their policy of hate is sad indeed.
It is not that they were taken unawares. Chief organiser and sponsor of the Circuit, Leonard Battesti, pointed out that the presence of five Israeli players in the tournament was known to all participants well in advance. “Their acceptance honours our competition as does the presence of Iranian players and those from about thirty other nationalities,” he observed. Battesti said they were developing in Corsica “an awareness of the positive aspects of the chess sport on our youth.” Being complicit to any form of segregation would be unworthy, he added, “and in total contradiction with the foundations of our sporting activities.”
Double Rooks is well aware of the immemorial animosity existing between these two peoples and the dismal failure of repeated international attempts to bring peace between them. Still, it is tragic that the absolutely neutral world of sport, particularly chess, should now become an extended war zone in this visceral and intractable conflict. It seems to DR that organisers of international tournaments must now carefully examine implications of this Iranian refusal. How far will it go?
Must special pairing arrangements now be made to ensure that such a disruptive incident is not repeated? After an intensive investigation, ChessBase, in an editorial comment, noted: “It is clear that particularly in Iran, sports and politics are more closely intertwined than in any other country”.
The on-line station pointed out that “Iran’s national Olympic committee has given the official order that none of its athletes are to compete against athletes of the Zionist regime—namely Israel.” ChessBase also observed that in Europe certain countries such as Spain, Ukraine and Romania have cancelled football matches in Iran to protest that country’s policy against Israel, and some politicians have called for banning Iran from the World Soccer Cup.
Whatever its anti-Israel policies may be, Iran should not be allowed to impose it on international sporting events animated by the spirit of togetherness and friendly competition. Also, if its hatred for the “zionist regime” is so overwhelming, then it should be consistent and not participate in any event that includes the Israelis. That is DR’s view. Here is a sampling of other commentaries: David Hertz, Paris, France: This is so sad, especially that a chessplayer, a human being for that matter, is more interested in playing politics than the game he purportedly came to Corsica to play in the first place.
Vaughn Dumas, Pretoria, South Africa: I think that if you have this kind of conviction, then you should also accept whatever is coming your way. The Iranian should not just forfeit the game but the whole tournament.
By Carl Jacob
Source: www.guardian.co.tt