Dress code in chess?

[NickFaulks]

Demand that they be given discretion in the application of the rules.

Do you mean discretion to say that jeans are not jeans or discretion to say that the rule stating that you may not wear jeans actually means that you may wear jeans?

It's the premise used by the DPP in England and Wales that prosecution (aka enforcement of rules) is "not in the public interest".

Not a useful comparison. The purpose of the DPP's "not in the public interest" is to ensure that potentially embarrassing facts which might come to light in a trial remain covered up.

[Paul Heaton]

The Levy interview with Giri done slightly before all this nonsense seems to have been overlooked:

Around 5 mins in on Magnus’ freestyle chess: “we’ve been in it together for so many years, and then we get this backstab”.

https://x.com/taketaketakeapp/status/18 ... l4oOdx7yVw

Which seems to be in response to this statement from Carlsen on freestyle chess: “We inherently believe this is a better game than what we’ve been playing in classical chess. A lot of people who are in gaming feel that having a new map for every game is tremendously exciting.”

Carlsen mentioned he’d been in meetings all morning. There is talk of FIDE preventing players involved in this “freestyle chess” from participating in the World Championship. At a guess, perhaps he doesn’t have the numbers (of players) with him on this concept, and it’s impacting both his thinking on and off the board in New York?

Freestyle chess = Fischerandom=Chess 960

[Matt Mackenzie]

Which seems to be in response to this statement from Carlsen on freestyle chess: “We inherently believe this is a better game than what we’ve been playing in classical chess. A lot of people who are in gaming feel that having a new map for every game is tremendously exciting.”

He is entitled to his opinion, incorrect as it most certainly is.

Having a WC who actually appreciates classical chess is certainly a plus to some of us.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

This story now high up on the BBC News front page:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98lkrdkz70o

Magnus Carlsen quits chess championship after being told to change jeans

[Roger de Coverly]

Which seems to be in response to this statement from Carlsen on freestyle chess: “We inherently believe this is a better game than what we’ve been playing in classical chess. A lot of people who are in gaming feel that having a new map for every game is tremendously exciting.”

It's not infinite though. Why hasn't someone set up stockfish or equivalent to work through all the 960 variations and check whether any of the starting positions are clear advantages for one player or another or become so with one plausible but suspect move. Perhaps they have and are keeping quiet about it. Did I see it recently claimed that Kasparov remembered that he'd had a starting position before and exploited his opening knowledge?

Anyway don't many 960 games start quietly whilst players manoevre their pieces and pawns into something more familiar?

[Kevin Thurlow]

"It's not infinite though. Why hasn't someone set up stockfish or equivalent to work through all the 960 variations and check whether any of the starting positions are clear advantages for one player or another or become so with one plausible but suspect move. Perhaps they have and are keeping quiet about it. Did I see it recently claimed that Kasparov remembered that he'd had a starting position before and exploited his opening knowledge?

Anyway don't many 960 games start quietly whilst players manoevre their pieces and pawns into something more familiar?"

Some of the other 959 positions are more or less won for white. At high level, Roger's final sentence is completely correct.

[NickFaulks]

Some of the other 959 positions are more or less won for white.

People have been saying that for years but nobody can produce an example. The only half decent study I have seen, from quite a while ago, suggested the opposite.

[Roger de Coverly]

People have been saying that for years but nobody can produce an example.

Wasn't there a game where a one move blunder was possible on move 1? Even 1. g4 or 1. .. g5 needs the dubious follow up of f3 or f6 to be an instant loss.

[David Lettington]

Chief arbiter Alex Holowczak kicks Magnus out ,for wearing £1000 jeans

That's just factually incorrect. Magnus chose to withdraw from the competition. There is a distinct difference.

I've no idea if the jeans cost £1000, though. If I had a spare £1000, I probably wouldn't spend it on jeans.

[Paul Cooksey]

Carlsen mentioned he’d been in meetings all morning. There is talk of FIDE preventing players involved in this “freestyle chess” from participating in the World Championship. At a guess, perhaps he doesn’t have the numbers (of players) with him on this concept, and it’s impacting both his thinking on and off the board in New York

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.

I've watched a few of Hikaru's titled Tuesday streams recently. I recall him saying he felt it was unlikely Giri would return to the top ten. As has been recently observed here, the best trolling has an element of truth. You could imagine if we did see a schism between classical chess and 960, Giri might be on the classical side with the Indian mass market where he is very popular. Amusingly not only Giri but also eminent FIDE official Anand played in the trial freestyle event.

I tend to agree 960 isn't a solution to the burden of learning opening theory. It probably makes things worse. But I guess it is 5 or 10 years before quick draws become established, although I might be underestimating Wesley So.

[Owen Phillips]

Also see comments in The International News Section of this Forum

[Mick Norris]

Chief arbiter Alex Holowczak kicks Magnus out ,for wearing £1000 jeans

That's just factually incorrect. Magnus chose to withdraw from the competition. There is a distinct difference.

I've no idea if the jeans cost £1000, though. If I had a spare £1000, I probably wouldn't spend it on jeans.

FIDE statement

FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.

Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code by wearing jeans, which are explicitly prohibited under long-standing regulations for this event. The Chief Arbiter informed Mr. Carlsen of the breach, issued a $200 fine, and requested that he change his attire. Unfortunately, Mr. Carlsen declined, and as a result, he was not paired for round nine. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players.

Earlier in the day, another participant, Mr. Ian Nepomniachtchi, was also fined for breaching the dress code by wearing sports shoes. However, Mr. Nepomniachtchi complied, changed into approved attire, and continued to play in the tournament.

The dress code regulations are drafted by members of the FIDE Athletes Commission, which is composed of professional players and experts. These rules have been in place for years and are well-known to all participants and are communicated to them ahead of each event. FIDE has also ensured that the players' accommodation is within a short walking distance from the playing venue, making adherence to the rules more convenient.

FIDE remains committed to promoting chess and its values, including respect for the rules that all participants agree to follow.

[Clive Wismayer]

Well, this is awkward. The FIDE dress code says jeans are acceptable. See reg. 3a here.

https://www.fide.com/images/stories/NEW ... s_code.pdf

[IM Jack Rudd]

That's a general dress code, though, and is superseded by specific dress codes imposed at the event level.

[Clive Wismayer]

How stupid of me not to know there are multiple dress codes! Of course! How could chess exist without them?