New Delhi: Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has commented on the recent disqualification of Norweigan Chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen from the ongoing World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in New York.
The World No.1 Carlsen has been involved in a row with the global governing chess body (FIDE) for not following the dress code during the year-ender event played at the Wall Street. During his round 8 contest, the 34-year-old appeared wearing jeans on Friday.
What is the appropriate dress code for male players?
Despite the requests from the chief arbiter Alex Holowczak to change his attire with the concerned dress code, Carlsen refused to do so and was barred from participating in the Round 9 of the Rapid Championship. Furthermore, the five-time world champion was fined $200 for wearing jeans, which do not fall under the FIDE dress code for male players.
The male players are permitted to wear suits, trousers, long-sleeve or short-sleeve shirts, polo-shirts, jackets, or traditional dress (which needs prior approval of FIDE). Anand, who is the vice-president of FIDE, said the global body was forced to hand Carlsen the disqualification to keep the integrity of the rules and regulations intact.
“He simply refused to follow the rules, left us with little choice. Today this decision seemed emotional. Magnus was not willing to compromise,” Anand told Chessbase India.
“Obviously, it was not a step we wanted to take. We offered several options (to Magnus). The arbiter said that as long as Magnus changed his jeans before the ninth round, it would be fine.”
“But Magnus said that he was not going to do it on principle. He himself stated that it’s a matter of principle for him. The arbiter simply applied the rules, and we supported that.”
Anand cites Ian Nepomniachtchi’s case
Anand also cited the example of Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi, who adhered to the arbiter’s request to change the dress code after he turned up for the event with sports shoes earlier in the competition.
“Every other player is following the rules. Ian Nepomniachtchi was asked to change, and he did. That is why he was able to continue. The fact that Magnus simply refused to follow it left us with little choice,” Anand said.
Viswanathan Anand responded Magnus Carlsen’s disqualification from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship for violating the dress code. Anand explained that Carlsen refused to change his jeans despite repeated requests, forcing FIDE to uphold its rules to maintain the integrity of the competition. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
