Lebanese 8-year-old chess player Loren Abdel Samad withdrew from two scheduled matches against 'Israeli' opponents during the World Youth Chess Championship for the under-eight age category, held in Batumi, Georgia, from June 14-27, 2026 – according to a report on Lebanese media The withdrawals resulted in automatic losses and cost her points that could have influenced her final standing in the tournament, the reports said. Family cites personal stance According to her family speaking to Lebanese media, Abdel Samad chose not to face the 'Israeli' players despite knowing the decision would affect her tournament score. Her father, Bassam Abdel Samad, told local media that his daughter "withdrew from the games against two Israeli players intentionally." He added that she closely follows the news and has seen "the destruction of homes and the targeting of children." "Even if Lebanese law allowed her to play against the Israeli players, she would not have done so," he said, adding that she holds a firm personal position despite her young age. Rising young talent Before competing at the World Youth Chess Championship, Abdel Samad had already built an impressive record in Lebanon. She won first place in the Lebanese American University (LAU) Chess Championship and claimed the Lebanese Chess Federation title in her age category. After returning to Beirut, the young player is preparing to compete in the 2026 Lebanese Chess Championship.

Lebanese 8-year-old chess player Loren Abdel Samad withdrew from two scheduled matches against ‘Israeli’ opponents during the World Youth Chess Championship for the under-eight age category, held in Batumi, Georgia, from June 14-27, 2026 – according to a report on Lebanese media

The withdrawals resulted in automatic losses and cost her points that could have influenced her final standing in the tournament, the reports said. Family cites personal stance

According to her family speaking to Lebanese media, Abdel Samad chose not to face the ‘Israeli’ players despite knowing the decision would affect her tournament score.

  • SocialistVibes01@lemmy.ml
    1·
    10 days ago

    You’re just a liberal equating “both sides”. Like they always do. In real life, the Israeli kid already received an education that dehumanizes Lebanese, Palestinians, Syrians, you name it. While the other kid just wants to live and there’s nothing indicating his nurturing was dehumanizing Israelis, except your half-baked and dishonest “both-sidizing” and Hasbara. Noboby is disputing that the Israeli kid didn’t have a choice in that matter but that doesn’t mean he has to get a pass from being throughout reeducated. Until then, the evil moniker is an oversimplification that alas aptly applies here. Do you want to get off by being 100% fair? STOP THE GENOCIDE.