Fide’s Commission for Women’s Chess, meanwhile, called on participants to respect “cultural differences” and accept the regulations. Hijabs have been mandatory for women in Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the strict law is enforced by the country’s “morality police”. Any woman found not wearing one in public faces arrest, a fine or public admonishment. However, players claim by awarding the event to Iran Fide is turning a blind eye to sexual discrimination.

Of course, there are quisling women at the Chess federation who are all for the hijab:

Susan Polgar, the Hungarian-born American Grandmaster and chair of Fide’s Commission for Women’s Chess, responded by defending the federation and saying women should respect “cultural differences”. She said: “I have travelled to nearly 60 countries. When I visited different places with different cultures, I like to show my respect by dressing up in their traditional style of clothing. No one asked me to do it. I just do it out of respect. “I personally would have no issues with wearing a head scarf (hijab) as long as it is the same to all players. I believe the organisers provided beautiful choices for past participants of Women’s Grand Prix. “I cannot speak on behalf of others but from my personal conversations with various players in the past year, they had no real issues with it. “If any player has a problem with it, she can and should voice her opinion to the Commission for Women’s Chess or Fide and we can address it in our next meeting.”

I doubt that any Western woman is safe in Iran anyway. Why in the world would they have a contest in Iran?