2017 King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 26-30 December 2017

[LawrenceCooper]

If this article by Itamar Eichner the Diplomatic correspondent for the Israeli, Yedioth Ahronot newspaper, is to be believed then, following discussions with Kirsan Illyumzhinov, 11 applications from Israel chess players are due to be submitted for visas to play in Saudi Arabia. If approved it will be the first time in history that an Israeli team will have openly entered Saudi Arabia. Clearly, combined with allowing women to play without head covering or burkas, the Saudis are attempting to control the narrative and getting the media onside but this would indeed be significant progress if it comes to fruition. However, I would also expect some resistance to these steps from the religious hard liners within the country.

It seems logical to me that the Israelis should apply for visas, if only to call FIDE's bluff if they get rejected. If the visa application succeeds, there's still no obligation for them to actually go to Saudi Arabia if they don't want to. So what do they have to lose?

A good question.

[Brian Towers]

If this article by Itamar Eichner the Diplomatic correspondent for the Israeli, Yedioth Ahronot newspaper, is to be believed then, following discussions with Kirsan Illyumzhinov, 11 applications from Israel chess players are due to be submitted for visas to play in Saudi Arabia. If approved it will be the first time in history that an Israeli team will have openly entered Saudi Arabia. Clearly, combined with allowing women to play without head covering or burkas, the Saudis are attempting to control the narrative and getting the media onside but this would indeed be significant progress if it comes to fruition. However, I would also expect some resistance to these steps from the religious hard liners within the country.

It seems logical to me that the Israelis should apply for visas, if only to call FIDE's bluff if they get rejected. If the visa application succeeds, there's still no obligation for them to actually go to Saudi Arabia if they don't want to. So what do they have to lose?

If 11 applications really have been made and if they are all accepted then I bet several will go. The double attraction of the prize fund and the fame/notoriety on offer as the first Israelis ever to be welcomed into the KSA will be too much. They will be headline news in Israel.

[Mike Truran]

So what do they have to lose?

Apart from the cost of the visa itself, maybe also the cost of paying (at least deposits) for the flights and accommodation for which they would probably have to submit receipts as proof of intent as part of the visa application.

Plus, why apply for a visa just to make a political point if you don't intend to play? I doubt most professional chess players would think beyond their next pay day.

And so on and so forth.

[NickFaulks]

So what do they have to lose?

Apart from the cost of the visa itself, maybe also the cost of paying (at least deposits) for the flights and accommodation for which they would probably have to submit receipts as proof of intent as part of the visa application

It would for several reasons be daft ( as well as impolite ) to sign up if you didn't intend to play. But if you're a top level professional chess player offered an expenses paid opportunity to play in a tournament with a huge prize fund, why not play?

This isn't like Tripoli, where it was stated explicitly that Jews would be tolerated but unwelcome. Riyadh is doing everything right. This is probably connected with the fact that Saudi Arabia and Israel are making it pretty clear that they regard each other as their most reliable political and military allies in the region.

[Alex Holowczak]

Plus, why apply for a visa just to make a political point if you don't intend to play? I doubt most professional chess players would think beyond their next pay day.

I suspect there will be one or two who would want to make the political point.

[NickFaulks]

I suspect there will be one or two who would want to make the political point.

Only if they are confident of being turned down, which it seems they won't be.

[LawrenceCooper]

I suspect there will be one or two who would want to make the political point.

Only if they are confident of being turned down, which it seems they won't be.

"Several Israeli players have submitted the application - notably Gelfand, Rodshtein and I did not apply." is a snippet of a lengthy Sutovsky post today.

[Chris Rice]

Carlsen is in. Sutovsky's been banging on about the top players are all going to boycott the event so I'm keen to see what he's got to say about this. The amount of prize money involved is staggering for a chess event so I'm guessing there will be quite a few players who are willing to suspend their moral indignation for the chance of a really great pay day.

[LawrenceCooper]

Carlsen is in. Sutovsky's been banging on about the top players are all going to boycott the event so I'm keen to see what he's got to say about this. The amount of prize money involved is staggering for a chess event so I'm guessing there will be quite a few players who are willing to suspend their moral indignation for the chance of a really great pay day.

Emil Sutovsky
23 hrs ·
Carlsen confirms on his participation in Saudi Arabia. Other top-10 entries include Mamedyarov, Anand and Aronian. It seems like other five-six players from the top-10 decided to skip it - in line with my forecast. FIDE mentions a total of 180+ players (men and women) confirming on their participation. It is too early to analyse this figure, and we shall see the final list of players, which at this point includes for example a number of Israelis, who are very unlikely to make it to Riyadh. Respect to all those who took principled stand, safe journey to all others.

[NickFaulks]

includes for example a number of Israelis, who are very unlikely to make it to Riyadh.

He hopes!

[NickFaulks]

Israel ‘expects’ its chess players to make history by playing in Saudi tourney.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/world-che ... e-55221025

[LawrenceCooper]

Israel ‘expects’ its chess players to make history by playing in Saudi tourney.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/world-che ... e-55221025

Emil Sutovsky via Facebook "I expect none of Israeli players to participate. Even if Saudis will issue the visas, that will happen maximally close to the tournament, which will prevent any delegation from Israel to come."

On the other hand: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.825524

[NickFaulks]

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.825524

"Sutovsky said that, as a matter of principle, the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Riyadh should be open to all chess players around the world regardless their country of origin."

He's saying that Israeli players should boycott the event because they're not allowed to play in it. What am I missing?

[NickFaulks]

On a different note, the organisers must insist that all competitors be willing to play against opponents regardless of their nationality. That should be enough to keep the Iranians out.

[LawrenceCooper]

http://riyadh2017.fide.com/