The United States Chess Federation, which originally intended not to participate in this fall’s international chess olympiad in Israel, reversed its decision after the Arabs announced that they would sponsor an “Against Israel Chess Olympic” in Tripoli, Libya to coincide with the olympiad in Israel Oct. 24-Nov. 15. At the same time, the USCF said would not participate in the Arab games. Both decisions were taken Sunday during the USCF board meeting in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
E.B. Edmondson, the USCF director, termed the Arab-sponsored games “the greatest potential danger to the goals and existence of the International Chess Federation.” According to USCF officials, the Arab Libyan Chess Federation would pay the travel costs of participants to Tripoli plus $8 daily during the 23-day event.
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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.
