Woman Grandmaster Sara Khadem, who now represents Spain after leaving Iran, shared her experiences in an interview in Mumbai. She discussed the risks of protesting headscarf mandates and her decision to forgo the garment at the 2022 World Rapid and Blitz Championships. Khadem highlighted the challenges of changing nationalities amid Iran's evolving chess landscape.
In a candid interview by the poolside at Mumbai's Trident Hotel, Sara Khadem—formerly Sarasadat Khademalsharieh—opened up about her transition from representing Iran to Spain in international chess. The move followed a pivotal moment at the 2022 World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where she competed without a headscarf, drawing global attention. This act, inspired by the death of Mahsa Amini in Iranian police custody, led to an arrest warrant back home. Khadem, who has lived in Spain for three years and received its nationality, emphasized the personal cost: "It’s not very nice to change the country you represent."
Khadem's journey in chess began with early successes, including a runner-up finish at the 2014 World Junior Championship in Pune, India, and second place in the 2018 World Rapid and Blitz events. However, political tensions, including a six-month travel ban and the COVID-19 pandemic, interrupted her career, compounded by the birth of her son. Her Elo rating once neared 2500, but family life has shifted priorities, though she remains committed to more tournaments.
She expressed disappointment over fellow Iranian talent Alireza Firouzja's switch to France, a player she long praised as a prodigy. Iran boasts a rich chess history, having promoted the game regionally with figures like Ehsan Ghaem-Maghami and Atousa Pourkashiyan. Yet, reduced federation support has stifled growth. In Spain, Khadem won the women's championship and helped the team tie for third at the recent Olympiad.
Participating in the Global Chess League for PBG Alaskan Knights, Khadem appreciated its mixed-team format and faster time controls. She finds Spain welcoming, especially for raising her young son, who is learning Spanish—though his cheeky phrases like "Quita mama" ("Get lost mummy") amuse her. While fond of Iran, she prefers Spain's environment for family stability, noting broader changes in Iran where many women now forgo headscarves publicly.