Dress code in chess?

[Joey Stewart]

The mess of rules does very little for fides already dismal reputation for dishonesty and disorganisation , you can see why so many people are siding with Magnus - it feels like the way scummy organisations try and break down resistance to their inhumane rules by making examples of big names players in the hope that the rest of the community will cower and obey.

I think everybody should wear whatever they want to chess - it's not a job, and any sponsor or organiser that thinks they have a right to dictate terms can ...well... I think Magnus himself summed it up best

[Ian Thompson]

I think everybody should wear whatever they want to chess - it's not a job, and any sponsor or organiser that thinks they have a right to dictate terms can ...well...

... sponsor something else where the competitors present the image the sponsor thinks reflects well on them.

This incident is getting coverage every hour on BBC World News TV at the moment.

[Paul Heaton]

I do think freestyle is an important context. But the consensus, even allowing for some promotion, seems to be that there is substantial money in it. So I'm a bit more persuaded logical Magnus felt he had nothing to lose and petulant Magnus was in a bad mood because of his poor first day.

Nakamura chipping in:
"It's not really about the jeans or the attire, it's about a much bigger situation that's brewing regarding Freestyle Chess. I think it would've happened one way or another,"

[Matt Mackenzie]

The mess of rules does very little for fides already dismal reputation for dishonesty and disorganisation , you can see why so many people are siding with Magnus - it feels like the way scummy organisations try and break down resistance to their inhumane rules by making examples of big names players in the hope that the rest of the community will cower and obey.

Except that, as already pointed out, the rule Carlsen fell foul of isn't actually a FIDE regulation. And whilst I'm not massively fussed about dress codes either way, if the requirements were so "inhumane" how have the vast majority appeared to abide by them without major incident?

[Roger de Coverly]

And whilst I'm not massively fussed about dress codes either way, if the requirements were so "inhumane" how have the vast majority appeared to abide by them without major incident?

That's easy enough. Their earnings rely on prize money and appearance fees. It's when you try to apply pedantic rules to players not financially or emotionally dependent on participation that you get fightback.

Do you think the ECF could get away with a ban on denim at the British Championship?

[NickFaulks]

I think everybody should wear whatever they want to chess - it's not a job, and any sponsor or organiser that thinks they have a right to dictate terms can ...well... I think Magnus himself summed it up best

You can think whatever you like, but your approach has been tried. A few players turned up filthy and stinking, and sponsors weren't happy. It's easy for Carlsen to say he doesn't care about that, but most chess professionals rely on the money they bring into the game.

[MJMcCready]

Wouldit be okay ifna dress code was implimented where players xould only wear clothes from the 70s? It might add to the entertainment of the show. Or perhaps only wear swimming trunks or would that maxk it tricky to make the players look professional and more like someone on holiday and going for act8vities all the time instead. But that might get more viewers as it looks cooler and more like they are having a good time. That would be good for the game, who can I contact to suggest this too, I think it's a winner. And I promise I'm not a wind up merchant

[Paul Cooksey]

A few players turned up filthy and stinking, and sponsors weren't happy. It's easy for Carlsen to say he doesn't care about that, but most chess professionals rely on the money they bring into the game.

It is a really poor rule if that is the situation it is designed to avoid.

[NickFaulks]

It is a really poor rule if that is the situation it is designed to avoid.

I wasn't commenting on whether the current rule is fit for purpose, merely saying ( in disagreement with Magnus and Joey ) that there is a reason to have a rule.

I'm glad it isn't my job to draft a dress code, since it sounds like an impossible task. Would anyone here like to have a go?

[Paul Cooksey]

I don't really mind the current rule. I was just saying that isn't why it exists.

[Ian Thompson]

Or perhaps only wear swimming trunks or would that maxk it tricky to make the players look professional and more like someone on holiday and going for act8vities all the time instead. But that might get more viewers as it looks cooler and more like they are having a good time.

Players dressed as if they were going to the beach was banned by the ECU many years ago, although they did acknowledge that men were unlikely to object to young women being dressed in that way.

[NickFaulks]

I was just saying that isn't why it exists.

This is getting a bit semantic, but it was the catalyst which brought it into being. Most people would always have been happy with a rule which just meant "you must not look scruffy" but that turned out to be difficult to draft in an enforceable way. After various iterations, we are here.

[Paul Cooksey]

"you must not look scruffy"

I don't agree that is the spirit of the law. Maybe it is the spirit of the FIDE dress code. But the spirit of the event regulation is "we want you to support us branding in a particular way by following a slightly old fashioned business casual dress code"

We know Magnus and Hikaru think that branding is wrong, particularly for rapid. We know they want to adopt a youth oriented eSports branding and that they have been involved in a dispute with FIDE. It seems to me relevant context.

I'm not arguing Magnus did the right thing of course. Last time he had a melt down there was a general consensus that if you don't agree with the anti-cheating rules or the the other participants, you are entitled not to enter and give it as a reason, but you shouldn't use it as a reason to withdraw during the event. It seems to me that although Magnus is a bit older he hasn't got any wiser, and again, he should have either accepted the event rules or not entered.

[Joey Stewart]

In a very rare twist, the fide CEO himself has responded to the situation and brings some interesting new perspectives to the table

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cK08nPJ2fSI

[Paul Cooksey]

Emil talking is rare? Joey's most controversial opinion yet!