Ninety-two chess federations around the world, all members of the international Chess Federation, received invitations this week to attend the Chess Olympiad in Haifa in the fall. Among those invited are ten Islamic chess federations–including those of Syria, Iraq. Jordan and Lebanon–and ten Communist federations–including the Soviet Union and China.
The Olympiad will be the 22nd men’s olympiad and the seventh women’s, and is scheduled to be held in Haifa during late October and early November. Israel’s Foreign Ministry has promised visas to all would-be participants–even from hostile Arab countries.
The JTA learned that over 50 chess federations have already indicated that they will attend–despite heavy pressure exerted on the world body by some Arab members (Libya is reportedly organizing an anti-Israeli olympiad.) El Al and other airlines have promised reduced fares for participants and fans.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
