World chess champion refuses to play in Saudi Arabia over women's rights

Record ID: 944714

  • Title: World chess champion refuses to play in Saudi Arabia over women's rights
  • Date: 28th December 2017
  • Summary: LVIV, UKRAINE (DECEMBER 26, 2017) (REUTERS) UKRAINIAN WORLD CHESS CHAMPION, ANNA MUZYCHUK, WALKING DOWN A STREET VARIOUS OF MUZYCHUK LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS MARKET GOODS PEOPLE/STALLS AT CHRISTMAS MARKET (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN WORLD CHESS CHAMPION, ANNA MUZYCHUK, SAYING: "It seems to me that a tournament like the world championship - a tournament of the highest level - should not be held in such a country. As is well-known, Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country where Sharia laws are applied. According to them, there are many restrictions. And it's a violation of human rights and it especially refers to women."
  • Embargoed: 11th January 2018 10:42
  • Keywords: Ukraine chess Saudi Arabia chess tournament women in Saudi Arabia women's rights
  • Location: LVIV AND KIEV, UKRAINE
  • City: LVIV AND KIEV, UKRAINE
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Chess,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA0017DTUJPX
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Ukrainian chess champion Anna Muzychuk has caused a stir after boycotting this week's world speed chess championship in Saudi Arabia - meaning she will lose her two world titles and pass up substantial earnings.
    The 27-year-old is refusing to defend her titles in rapid and blitz chess in protest at the host country's record on women's rights.
    In a Facebook post made on Saturday (December 23) explaining her decision, Muzychuk said she did not want to go to a country where she would be treated like "a secondary creature." The chess champion said on Tuesday (December 26) she made the decision knowing she would relinquish both her titles and earnings from taking part.
    Saudi Arabia ended a ban on women driving in September but the conservative kingdom's male guardianship system requires women to have a male relative's approval for decisions on issues like education, employment, marriage and travel plans.
    More than 200 players from 70 countries are participating in the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships taking place in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
    In what the World Chess Federation (FIDE) called an "historic agreement", Saudi Arabia relaxed its dress code for the tournament, which has a total prize pot of $2 million. This meant women would not need to wear the hijab or abaya - the loose-fitting, full-length robes that women are typically expected to wear. Instead, inside the venue, women could wear dark formal trouser suits and high-necked white blouses.
    But these changes did not go far enough for Muzychuk.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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