Chess federation says Israel excluded from Saudi-hosted match

Israeli players have been denied visas to participate in a speed chess championship hosted by Saudi Arabia this week, a vice president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) said on Sunday.Seven Israeli players had requested visas for the tournament on Dec. 26-30.It would have marked the first time Saudi Arabia had publicly hosted Israelis as the Gulf state does not recognize Israel and there are no formal ties between them.