At An International Chess Match, Sara Khadem Of Iran Competes Uncovered

The International Chess Federation published images from the event showing Sara Khadem competing without a hijab.          

According to Reuters, an Iranian woman chess player competed in an international competition sans a headscarf. At the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Sara Khadem, an international chess player from Iran, competed without a hijab.

The hijab is a requirement for women in Iran due to the country's strict dress regulation. The death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who was arrested for "inappropriate attire"—not properly donning her hijab—died in police custody while she was being held in jail has sparked ongoing protests in Iran.

The International Chess Federation as well as other participants posted photos from the event sans a hijab. With her hair hanging loosely around her shoulders, Sara Khadem could be seen gazing down at the chessboard.                                     

Sara Khadem, also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, is ranked 804 in the world by the International Chess Federation.
Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi competed in South Korea without a headscarf in October, but she later claimed that she made a mistake. The Iranian national anthem was not sung by the team during their opening game of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

While Iran has accused hostile foreign powers, mostly the United States but also other Western countries like Britain and France as well, of inciting the "riots,"

The nation has undertaken a huge crackdown against the protests, which have lasted for more than 100 days, as well as exiled opposition parties. Iran murdered two protesters last month, prompting criticism and sanctions from around the world.