Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Iran Risks World Chess Ban Unless It Backs Competing With Israelis

Michael Lipin

   Iran risks being suspended from international chess tournaments
   beginning next month unless it publicly approves of Iranian players
   facing competitors from Tehran's regional foe, Israel, according to a
   senior member of the game's global governing body.

   In a Tuesday interview with VOA Persian from his home in Athens,
   Greece, Nigel Short, International Chess Federation (FIDE) vice
   president and a British grandmaster, said Iran would be suspended if
   the body's general assembly passed a resolution that he introduced on
   November 8 and the Islamist-ruled nation did not change its position on
   competition with Israelis.

   "Iran would be suspended until we get some guarantees that this thing
   will not happen again," Short said, in reference to his assertion that
   Tehran regularly has violated FIDE rules in recent years by pressuring
   its chess players to avoid facing Israelis in global tournaments.

   "This motion has not been passed yet, and I wouldn't like to predict
   what the General Assembly will do [in its December 6 meeting]," Short
   said. "But it may well be passed."

   Nigel Short Interview With VOA Persian

.