The Lebanese chess champion, Nadia Fawaz, withdrew from the 4th round of the 28th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival to avoid facing the Israeli player, Elia Grozman.
The 28th Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival is attended by players from 36 countries, including Lebanon, competing based on players’ classification.
Fawaz played the first 3 matches with Brunei player, Wafa Yacoub, and beat her. She also beat Saudi Arabia’s Ziad Saleh Abdali and Emirati Wafia Darwish al-Maamari.
However, Lebanon’s journey in the competition ended with the withdrawal of Fawaz as her 4th round would have pitted her against the Israeli player.
Her refusal to play against Grozman came as a statement of refusal to recognize the Israeli state, a stance always taken by Lebanese players and athletes in international competitions.
Just last week, the Lebanese player Charbel Abou Daher withdrew from the 2022 Youth MMA World Championships, also held in Abu Dhabi, to avoid playing against an Israeli opponent for the same reason.
