Israel absent in round 6 of 2026 Chess Olympiad: Netherlands and Bulgaria win by forfeit

At Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the 2026 Chess Olympiad is underway with hundreds of countries and territories participating. This year's tournament has many surprises, but the most talked-about story in recent days is not on the board but behind the scenes. The Israeli team, after being allowed to play early in round 5 because of Yom Kippur, continued to request a schedule change in round 6. However, their opponents, the Netherlands (Open section) and Bulgaria (Women's section), refused. As a result, Israel did not appear at the board and was forfeited. Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in Judaism. From the afternoon of September 20 until sunset on September 21, Jewish people worldwide fast and pray. Playing chess during this time is unacceptable for Israeli players. Therefore, before round 5, Israel submitted a request to FIDE, the International Chess Federation, asking to play earlier than the official schedule. Their opponents, Singapore (men) and Colombia (women), agreed. The matches were moved to the Savitsky Hotel and started 75 minutes earlier. Israel completed the games before sunset, and the story was seen as a beautiful display of sportsmanship. However, in round 6, the situation completely reversed. Israel still faced the holiday, so they proposed two options to FIDE: either move the match to the evening after 19:30 the same day, or move to Tuesday, September 22, which was a rest day. FIDE contacted the Netherlands and Bulgaria, their designated opponents in round 6, to ask about adjustments. Both teams declined. They argued that keeping the official schedule was their right. Without an agreement, Israel could not arrange a valid playing time and did not show up. Under chess rules, a team that fails to appear loses all games, and the opponent is awarded full points. A FIDE spokesperson later issued a statement: "Due to the observance of Yom Kippur on September 20 and 21, the Israeli Open and Women's teams requested adjustments to their playing schedule. In round 5, they needed to complete their games earlier than the standard schedule. In round 6, they requested either a later start in the evening, at 19:30 or later, or to move the games to September 22, the rest day." He also confirmed: "Regarding the round 6 games, FIDE contacted the opponents of both Israeli teams. Unlike in the previous round, neither opponent agreed to play at a different time from the official schedule. They are fully entitled to decline such a request." A video showed Dutch players entering the venue, taking their seats, but no Israeli opponents were present. They waited briefly, then the arbiter declared Israel absent. This meant the Netherlands won 4-0, but in reality no moves were played. Similarly, the Bulgarian women's team earned full points against Israel without playing. The incident has sparked two opposing views. Some criticized the Netherlands and Bulgaria for lacking sportsmanship, especially after Singapore and Colombia had shown flexibility. They argued that denying a team the right to practice its religion is unfair. Others supported the two teams' decision. They reasoned that the schedule was published before the event, and changing it could affect physical condition, tactics, and preparation. In a long tournament, sudden changes can disrupt players' rhythm and focus. Moreover, teams have limited budgets, and staying an extra rest day could incur additional costs. For Israel, this is a major setback. The Israeli men's team was seeded 22nd and had won 4 of 5 rounds, ranking 22nd. The women's team was also seeded 22nd and ranked 20th with a similar score. Two forfeit losses cost them two match points, dealing a heavy blow to their hopes of reaching the final or winning medals. In contrast, the Netherlands and Bulgaria gained two points without any effort. In a tournament where standings depend on every point, off-board variables can make a huge difference. In fact, international chess tournaments always face religious and cultural issues. Muslim players struggle during Ramadan when they must fast from dawn to sunset. Christian players may also want time off at Christmas. FIDE often tries to be flexible, but not always. Sometimes principle wins over consensus. In this case, the decisions of the Netherlands and Bulgaria were fully legal, though perhaps unpopular diplomatically. Looking broadly, this event shows that players not only compete on the board but also face pressure from schedules, religion, politics, and opponents' personal choices. Requesting a schedule change may be accepted as a favor, but it is never an obvious right. FIDE did its role as a mediator by relaying Israel's request, but the final decision belonged to the teams. In this context, the Netherlands and Bulgaria did not violate any rules. They simply prioritized their own preparation. As for Israel, they need to accept and move on. Is there a fairer way? Some organizers could create schedules that avoid major religious holidays, but that is nearly impossible given the diversity of religions and holidays. Perhaps the biggest lesson is the need for more detailed rules regarding postponement for religious reasons. FIDE should consider adding specific regulations, such as requiring requests to be submitted before the event, so teams can plan. If a team refuses without a valid reason, the federation could intervene more. But under the current framework, teams have the right to decline, and there is no penalty for doing so. For Israel, these two forfeits are a painful wound. However, there are still five rounds to go, and they can improve if they maintain their form. The key is to stabilize mentally, forget outside disputes, and focus on the next games. Chess is a sport of intellect and calm, and the best players always overcome adversity to regain balance. This story, though controversial, shows that top sport is not only about goals or beautiful moves but also about mutual respect within the framework of rules. Chess fans in Vietnam, where a community of players is growing, also followed this event. Many local forums shared the news and attracted hundreds of comments. Some thought the Netherlands and Bulgaria were too rigid, while others asked whether there was any solution other than mutual concession. Some suggested FIDE should offer more flexible options, such as allowing affected teams to play in a separate room or online. But that violates the spirit of a live tournament. Sport cannot be separated from common rules, and simultaneous play is part of fairness. Back to Israel, this is not the first time a country has faced difficulties due to religious holidays. In 2026, at the Chess Olympiad in Tromsø, Norway, Israel faced a similar situation and was accommodated. But this year, the political context is different, and consensus is harder. Still, what matters is that sportsmanship remains a priority, and both the Netherlands and Bulgaria have the right to protect their interests. FIDE should review its process for handling special requests. Instead of contacting teams hours before the game, FIDE should establish a clear procedure from the start, with a deadline for requests at least 24 hours in advance. This would give teams time to consider and avoid surprises. Also, there could be incentives or sanctions to encourage teams to accept schedule changes, such as fair play points. But for now, Israel will have to bear the consequences. Among the remaining round 6 games, many strong teams had important victories. Israel's situation somewhat overshadowed the technical results. This shows that in modern sport, off-field factors increasingly take center stage. Players prepare for months, but a single administrative decision can change the whole picture. For this writer, this story reminds us that every major tournament is not only a professional competition but also a test of flexibility, dialogue, and respect for difference. Chess, with its long history, has always been a sport of civilized people. Therefore, we hope that similar issues will be resolved harmoniously in the future, so that chess lovers can fully enjoy the beauty of intellect. After all, the 2026 Chess Olympiad will continue. In the standings, the Netherlands and Bulgaria have gained two valuable points. Israel has fallen behind. All eyes now turn to the next rounds, where Israel will have to prove they are not defeated by an off-board decision. Perhaps their journey in Samarkand will become a story told for years – not only for their professional results, but also for how they faced adversity.