Netanyahu praises chess almost-champ Gelfand upon return

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised returned Chess Grandmaster Boris Gelfand’s efforts at at the World Chess Championships in Moscow during a visit on Sunday.

“During meetings I would watch your moves in an adjacent room. I’m sure that many Israelis are proud of your achievement, and many more Israelis now like the game of chess,” Netanyahu told Gelfand.

“Israel is a brain superpower, and chess is a game of mind. Thanks to people like you we will turn Israel into a chess powerhouse,” Netanyahu added.

Gelfand told the prime minister that his involvement as an Israeli in the high-profile, international competition brought honor to the country.

“It is important that we continue to develop the chess industry and initiate international competitions to bring recognition to Israeli chess players,” he said.

Gelfand lost to Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand in a tie-breaking round of the World Chess Championship last week.