Young Lauren Abdel Samad Withdraws From World Chess Championship to Avoid Playing Israelis
CrossFireArabia- June 30, 2026
Young Lebanese chess champion Lauren Abdel Samad decided to withdraw from the World Chess Championship for the under-8s, held in Georgia, to avoid playing against Israeli players. Lauren is a distinguished player with an impressive record in chess, having won matches in the World Championship in just three minutes! Despite her young age, she took a patriotic stance after watching the news and following the actions of these individuals against her fellow Lebanese countrymen, especially children of her age.
According to her family, the move was intentional despite the consequences, with her father saying she was fully aware of the outcome but maintained a firm personal stance shaped by her awareness of Israel’s “destruction of homes and the targeting of children.”
