08-06-2020

Dear Mr. Nikoukhesal,

I'd kindly remind you, that FIDE rejects any kind of discrimination against a country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, citizenship, birth, age, status, wealth, disability, language, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, political opinions, or any other reason.

This rule is strict, determined as one of the basic principles of FIDE, and explicitly spelled in the FIDE Charter (Article 4.4).

At the same time, in recent years, there have been repeated cases where athletes from Iran refused to participate in games with Israeli citizens. In some cases, comments were even received, that such games were ignored intentionally for political and ideological reasons.

It is important for FIDE that everyone abides the Charter, therefore we ask Iran's Chess Federation to confirm in writing its position on the admissibility of the mentioned games (between Iranian and Israeli players).

Failure to give such confirmation will force FIDE to discuss the compliance of Iran's Chess Federation's values with the principles of FIDE and the IOC.

Sincerely yours,

FIDE President
Arkady Dvorkovich

22-6-2020

To the President of FIDE

Dear Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich

Hope this email finds you well. Following your letter dated 6 June 2020, I would like to inform you that the Chess Federation of Islamic Republic of Iran has been constantly working in compliance with the rules and efforts of FIDE, and adhere to FIDE's statutes. 

As you are aware, Chess is a popular sport discipline in Iran and especially the young generation took a favorable attitude toward it. The names of around 44,000 Iranian Chess players have been recorded in FIDE, which demonstrates the level of importance of this sport in our country. 

The Chess Federation of Iran has been in permanent adhere to Olympic Charter. Since you have been informed in previous correspondences; at the International and Open tournaments, the athletes make the decision to participate at any types of events and they carry out the registration process themselves; therefore, this is the athlete who determines about the types of event to participate in, without rendering any advisory opinion. Hence, the responsibilities of all decisions should be shouldered by the athletes themselves. 

Moreover, considering the efficient cooperation among FIDE and the Chess Federation of Iran, I would like to invite you to pay a visit to our country, sports equipment and the capacity of our country at your earliest desirable convenience. 

We are ready to any kind of cooperation for the development and growth of this sport within FIDE's framework.

Sincerely yours,

Acting President of Iran Chess Federation
Farhad Nikoukhesal