In an event designed to send a message of peace and unity in the context of war, 1.004 chess players gathered in Safra Square, Jerusalem.
Chess players of all levels and ages have set a global record: they have played the largest number of simultaneous games in one place.
The boards were arranged on yellow tables so that, seen from above, they represented a yellow ribbon, symbolizing the fight to free 101 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar addressed the crowd and said, “Even in these moments, we do not forget the hostages and we wish for them to come back to be here with us,” and said they will continue to promote Israeli chess.
For his part, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said: “Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, has been breaking records for over 3.000 years, and today another record was broken thanks to a very special and emotional event, in which the city square was turned into a giant symbol representing all our prayers for the swift return of the hostages.”
Playing chess while 60 kilometers to the south and north soldiers are dying every day from terrorism. Speechless.