Nazi Paikidze-Barnes, one of America’s top chess grandmasters, recently announced that she intends to skip February’s Women’s World Chess Championship in Tehran due to Iran’s requirement that women wear head coverings in public. “I know that a lot of Iranian women are bravely protesting this forced law daily and risking a lot by doing so,” Paikidze-Barnes told Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad. “That’s why I will not wear a hijab and support women’s oppression.”
Paikidze-Barnes was born in Russia, learned chess in Tbilisi, Georgia, and attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on scholarship. She won this summer’s U.S. Chess Championship and is ranked as one of the top 100 female players in the world.
Iran was the only country to submit a proposal to host the upcoming championships, and none of the 150 recognized national chess federations voiced an objection, according to the World Chess Federation. The WCF also has stated that the organization does not require wearing hijab during the event, but does require participants to “respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions.”
Religious head scarves are legally required for women in Iran and Saudi Arabia. Conversely, they are entirely banned in Belgium and Tunisia, and partially banned in nations like Italy, France, Germany, Russia, and China.
Hijab bans also have extended into sports. International basketball’s governing body, FIBA, bans any headgear, including religious garments wider than five centimeters—though the organization has experimented with a trial period allowing headgear in certain cases. International soccer’s governing body, FIFA, upheld a similar ban until 2014, after a campaign led by Jordanian prince Ali bin Hussein.
Other chess grandmasters are split on the issue. Former Pan American champion Carla Heredia, who did not qualify for February’s championships, has announced her support for Paikidze-Barnes’ boycott, while Mitra Hejazipour, a former Asian continental women’s champion, disagreed on the grounds that women’s participation in Iranian sport is a net positive. “These games are important for women in Iran,” Hejazipour told The Guardian. “It’s an opportunity for us to show our strength.”
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.