Spanish GM Francisco Vallejo Pons explained why he will not play at the Chess Olympiad 2026. Vallejo claims Spain scammed him, points to low pay for participation, and notes a negative atmosphere in the national team.

Francisco Vallejo Pons

Francisco Vallejo Pons

Spanish GM

“Several people are asking me why I don’t play in the Olympiad with Spain. I’m going to explain it clearly and without beating around the bush.

First, I don’t owe anything to Spain. Quite the opposite — they scammed me, and it cost me a fortune in money and health.

Second, what they pay to play in an Olympiad is downright pitiful. I have no issue with the Spanish Chess Federation. Quite the contrary, I think they do what they can, and I haven’t seen a better alternative. But the reality is — it’s almost embarrassing.

Third, I’m not a professional chess player. It shows in the fact that I only played 16 games and fell just two short of eligibility. This year looks like it’ll be even fewer.

Fourth, I’m not going to play on a team where there’s bad blood and all sorts of accusations. I neither need it nor does it add anything to me.

Fifth, Chess is set up like a shabby beach bar — only a few at the top make money. The rest scrape by and don’t even have access to ‘try it’, even if it’s with some ‘Wimbledon qualifiers’. I’m not going to contribute to that.

On top of it all, the Elo system is obsolete and favors those who haven’t played much lately.”

In 2016, Spanish tax authorities demanded €500,000 from Francisco Vallejo Pons based on gross poker winnings, ignoring his losses. The stress affected his health, causing nervous skin infections and psychological distress. Francisco won a legal battle in 2020 after the government confiscated €100,000 of his savings.

Credit: Maria Emelianova / Chess.com