Tehran, Dec. 29 -- TwoIranianchess players participated in an international chess tournament without a headscarf amid ongoing anti-hijab protests in Iran.

Sara Khadem and Atousa Pourkashiyan, the latest athletes appeared in a competition without a headscarf since anti-hijab protests erupted in September due to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

Photos posted online showed Sara Khadem and Atousa Pourkashiyan playing on Tuesday in the Fide World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, without complying with Iran's mandatory dress code.

25-year-old Sara Khadem, also known asSarasadat Khademalsharieh, has been a rising star in Iran's chess world.

34-year-old Atousa Pourkashiyan, is a six-time Iranian champion chess p...