22nd Chess Olympiad

The 22nd Chess Olympiad (Hebrew: אולימפיאדת השחמט ה-22, Olimpiada ha-shachmat ha-22), organized by FIDE, took place between October 26 and November 10, 1976, in Haifa, Israel.

International politics once again interfered in the world of sports, as many FIDE member nations withdrew in protest against the Olympiad being held in Israel, a country many of them didn't recognize.

Among the nations that stayed away from Haifa were all of the Arab countries, some of which took part in the alternative Against Chess Olympiad instead.

In the absence of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Hungary, the US team had the highest average rating and had to be considered favourites, even without Bobby Fischer.

Israel, led by former World Championship challenger Kushnir, won the gold, ahead of England and Spain.