Just thinking- suppose there are good actors in the Saudi government / society that are trying to make the society more open and tolerant, one step at a time. Getting the competition may be one of their efforts and the haters can easily say “that will fail, sure, go ahead and try.” Supposing that is the case, is the appropriate action to boycott anyway, or should people try to support the event?

If my wife were looking at going to play in a grand championship in Saudi Arabia, I would be concerned for her safety. So I would probably encourage her to sit it out. But if that concern was addressed, I would really be torn between supporting what Saudi Arabia has been versus those trying to change what it will be.

Ahhh, I didn’t see that the Qatari and Iranians got visas. The earlier reports said they wouldn’t be allowed.

Thanks!

Totally agreed.

Exactly! Just how competitive is the sport if athletes are barred because of their nationality or religion?

It means the title is meaningless. The champion isn’t “the best in the world this year,” they’re “the best who competed, but some of the very best didn’t compete.”

It really, serious damages the credibility of FIDE, and makes their titles worthless.

Can you imagine if something like that happened in the Olympics? “Sorry, we don’t like Russia right now, so you guys just lose by default”?