16-year-old Alireza Firouzja, world no. 2 for his age group, has been held back due to Tehran's policy of refusing to face Israeli competitors in international sports

International officials see contest as drawing board for chess development in Jerusalem, hailed in opening ceremony as 'capital of the world'; but plan needs government funding

Part of World Championship cycle to begin Wednesday with 16 of world's best players; ministry refuses funding to make event in Israel a long-term project, citing political impasse

Yair Hoffman turns down invites to contests in India and Slovakia, including world and European finals

Igor Rausis, 58, had raised suspicions by making an unlikely rise in rankings at an advanced age