Chess master refuses to wear required saudi clothes, forfeits title

A two-time world chess champion has been forced to surrender her title after refusing to compete in a major world tournament that began in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Ukrainian chess grandmaster Anna Muzychuk pulled out of the The King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in Riyadh when told she would be compelled to wear an abaya, the full-length robes women are required to adorn in public in Saudi Arabia.

www.algemeiner.com... -israelis/

The article also goes on to show how the Saudis denied the Israeli chess team visas.

As far as this woman, kudos to her.

So often we are people virtue signal statements to make themselves look good at no real consquence to themselves.

This woman gave up something very dear to her and a lot of money because she didn't want to be forced to wear restrtive clothing.

I hope the woman is able to compete for her title again in the future.

Eta:

Phage has posted a source below sayng the Saudis claim that she would not have been required to wear he abaya, but insteadvcould have worn other clothing options that covered the body.

That article also says this woman was protesting overall treatment of women in the country and things like having to have a man escort them in public.

a reply to: Grambler

This woman gave up something very dear to her and a lot of money because she didn't want to be forced to wear restrtive clothing.

Or not.

Women are, according to local reports, being allowed to wear dark blue or black formal trousers and high-necked blouses, avoiding Saudi rules of dress that require female residents and most visitors to wear loose-fitting, long robes known as abayas.

www.independent.co.uk...

But I can understand her not wanting to attend for other reasons.

a reply to: Phage

Still required wear though.

But you are right, Saudi is claiming they wont have to wear he abaya.

Your article also makes the point she is protesting the treatment of women in general, including the fact she would have to be escorted by a man in public.

a reply to: Grambler

Still required wear though.

Yes, indeed.

On 9th of September at the start of the third round of the FIDE World Cup 2017, Anton Kovalyov came to the board before the round began. He was wearing his striped shorts, the same one that he had worn while playing rounds one and two. He was asked by ECU President to dress appropriately in accordance with the dress code which was mentioned in the players' contract. Kovalyov left the playing hall before the round began and did not turn up for the game. After 15 minutes, his opponent Maxim Rodshtein was given a walkover.

en.chessbase.com...
European dress code

a reply to: Phage

I believe there is a difference to the actual tournament having a required dress code, vs saying women can't show skin or walk without a man outside the tournament.

Thanks for posting. I follow chess and was looking at the results early today and couldn't find her. I was wondering where she was. In previous tournaments in the middle east, she has worn the head dress. Good for her for taking a stance. Idk why the middle east hosts these tournaments. The devote muslims are against chess and view it as forbidden in islam for some reason.

originally posted by: Grambler
a reply to: Phage

I believe there is a difference to the actual tournament having a required dress code, vs saying women can't show skin or walk without a man outside the tournament.

I agree, and said so. But saying it was about "required wear" is disingenuous and petty.

You may want to change your title.

And your source.

a reply to: Grambler

This is why nobody takes the US and the UN very seriously when they preach about human rights.

While the US complained of North Korea's nuclear program and human rights violations, they ignored Saudi Arabia's treatment of women.

originally posted by: starwarsisreal
a reply to: Grambler

This is why nobody takes the US and the UN very seriously when they preach about human rights.

While the US complained of North Korea's nuclear program and human rights violations, they ignored Saudi Arabia's treatment of women.

OMFG, and that's a US problem? It's OUR FAULT we don't kick everyone's ass for things they do wrong?

Whose side are you on? If your goal is to be the king of consistency good luck searching the entire globe for it. 100% consistency doesn't and never will exist.

Bet if felt good to trash the US though, huh?

FFS, people.

She should have said that she wouldn't set foot in that backwater crap hole of a country and that any organization that held a tournament there could shove their title where the monkey put the peanut.

Seems odd, do they even recognize that women could "win" against a man? Or do they have to beat him twice in order to count the win?

Seems like on the one hand they like to pretend they are part of the modern world, then on the other they are a bunch of prehistoric apes.

a reply to: MisterSpock

There are separate competitions. Often the case.
Don't ask me why.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: MisterSpock

There are separate competitions. Normally are.
Don't ask me why.

Why?

a reply to: MisterSpock

One of its feet are both alike.

Or maybe it's just that there are way more men in competition than women, giving them a numerical advantage?

originally posted by: Bluntone22
She should have said that she wouldn't set foot in that backwater crap hole of a country and that any organization that held a tournament there could shove their title where the monkey put the peanut.

If they did not have money and Oil people would not give them the time of day

Muslim women are so empowered to have to wear that stuff. They CHOOSE to do it!!

a reply to: 727Sky

It's said that they paid $1.5 million to host the tournament. A lot more than anywhere else has.

Oh, they aren't letting Israelis compete. Surprise.


This is interesting:

The very fact that this country is hosting a world chess tournament for the first time is controversial domestically as it comes two years after the country's top cleric issued a religious edict against playing the board game. Saudi Arabia's top cleric, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, said in early 2016 that chess is "forbidden" in Islam because it wastes time and can lead to rivalry among players. Similarly, top Iranian clerics have also decried the game, saying it can lead to gambling, which is banned in Islam.

source

"chess is "forbidden" in Islam because it wastes time and can lead to rivalry among players."

Seriously?

That seems a little ridiculous.

Bah, why do I expect anything from anyone any more.

a reply to: Grambler

Interesting, but it appears that

www.washingtonpost.com... m_term=.e1ed437fcd64

JERUSALEM — Saudi Arabia is hosting an international chess tournament this week, and the fact that female players are permitted to play without the traditional head covering is a first — and a nod to the kingdom’s attempts at modernization and reform.

However I find this more interesting.

from the same source as above

But Lior Aizenberg, spokesman for the Israeli Chess Federation, said the decision to prevent the Israelis from attending was indeed political....

He said the seven players who had planned to participate were now seeking financial compensation from the World Chess Federation, also known as FIDE.

You cant beat this...sounds like a Kosher tax to me.

Why even bother risking playing and losing when you can win money by seeking compensation.

Well maybe if they eliminate enough people their champion will be world champion.....