The US Chess Non-Response to FIDE's Egregious Treatment of Women Chess Players In Iran

From Allen Priest, a member of the US Chess Executive Board posted on the US Chess Issues Forum.

We have had issues with locations selected by FIDE for events before, and we have expressed those. Generally the response is that we are being paranoid.

As an organization we cannot endorse sending our citizens, particularly our minors, to places where our government as issued major travel warnings. At the same time we do not control what individual members do.

We have had issues with Americas events held in Columbia, for example.

And there is a real issue that as Americans we may have difficulties in areas that others may not. Some other countries experience the similar problems.

It is not encouraging when a chair of the women's committee who is based in the US seems to think this location is just fine. FIDE folks do not consider that she des not represent US Chess in any way, and some will consider her comments as an endorsement from us when they clearly are not - nor, in fairness, do I think she meant them that way.

Comment

Safety is ONE issue. The issue that has WOMEN upset is being forced to wear Muslim head attire at all times or face arrest and imprisonment in Iran. The requirement to wear head garb for religious reasons flies in the face of FIDE and the IOC's position prohibiting  discrimination against women based on religion. Our own women's national champion has forcefully stated the issue in public and has been quoted in the UK press for starters, to wit, ""It is absolutely unacceptable to host one of the most important women's tournaments in a venue where, to this day, women are forced to cover up with a hijab.

I understand and respect cultural differences. But, failing to comply can lead to imprisonment and women's rights are being severely restricted in general."

US Chess must grow some cajones and take a stand here to protect the rights of it's women players and all women players to unbiased treatment that respects their religious AND social values. This is mandated by the IOC and FIDE's rules. Filing a complaint against FIDE with the IOC is the minimum that US Chess should do. To do nothing is unacceptable, PERIOD.

As for Susan Polgar---she's little more than FIDE's sock puppet.