The Iranian National Chess Team has removed a pair of sibling chess masters for not adhering to the country’s religious laws. The duo, 18-year-old Dorsa Derakhshani and her 15-year-old brother Borna Derakhshani, were dropped from the team and banned from entering tournaments in the country after Dorsa failed to wear a head covering and Borna engaged in a match against an Israeli chess player at a chess festival earlier this month. The World Chess Federation currently ranks Dorsa as the eighth best female player under 21 and 92nd best overall.
Ahmad Salek, deputy head of the parliament’s cultural commission, claimed the Derakhshani’s actions were in defiance of the principles of the Islamic republic, according to a report in the United Kingdom’s, The Times. Women have been required to wear headscarves in public since the Islamic revolution in 1979 and Iranian athletes are forbidden from competing against Israelis. The Times also reports that Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh, head of the Iranian Chess Federation, claimed that the siblings “would be dealt with severely.”
Earlier this month, the female chess community clashed with Iran as a group of players announced plans to boycott the women’s chess championship, scheduled to take place in Iran, rather than face arrest for not following the country’s strict dress code.
Nazi Paikidze, the reigning U.S. chess champion, announced that she would boycott the tournament. “By participating, I would be forced to submit to forms of oppression designed specifically for women,” she explained to Marie Claire. “It sets the wrong example, particularly for young girls interested in chess.”
In a follow-up post on Instagram, Paikidze explained:
This is a post for those who don’t understand why I am boycotting FIDE’s decision. I think it’s unacceptable to host a WOMEN’S World Championship in a place where women do not have basic fundamental rights and are treated as second-class citizens. For those saying that I don’t know anything about Iran: I have received the most support and gratitude from the people of Iran, who are facing this situation every day.
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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.