The world of elite chess is bracing for a sartorial shake-up. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has unveiled a stringent new dress code for the upcoming FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship in Doha, leaving no room for sartorial sloppiness. The policy, detailed in a recent directive, mandates formal attire, imposes hefty fines for violations, and specifically bans logos from betting companies—a rule that puts world-renowned player Magnus Carlsen directly in the spotlight.
Decoding FIDE's New Dress Regulations
The comprehensive guidelines leave little to interpretation. Wrinkled clothing and a 'sloppy or unkempt appearance' are now officially punishable offences. The federation has also explicitly banned t-shirts, sleeveless shirts for men, shorts, baseball caps, and any attire with tears or rips. Furthermore, clothing featuring 'offensive content or logos of prohibited sponsors like betting companies, alcohol, and tobacco brands' is strictly forbidden.
For men, the allowed wardrobe includes suits, dark business casual trousers, and notably, classic, non-distressed jeans in colours like blue, black, and grey, paired with unicoloured shirts and formal shoes or sneakers. Women can opt for skirt suits, dresses, trousers, and blouses, with similar footwear rules.
Fines, Penalties, and the Carlsen Conundrum
FIDE has classified infringements into two clear categories with escalating penalties:
- Minor Infringements: This includes unintentional breaches like wrinkled clothes or a generally unkempt look. A first-time offence will attract a fine of at least €300 (approx. ₹30,000) for open events. Repeat offences could lead to exclusion from the next round.
- Major Infringements: This category demonstrates a disregard for the rules and includes wearing banned items like shorts or clothing with logos from betting companies. The penalty is severe—10% of the player's total prize money from the two events, with a minimum fine of €1,000 (approx. ₹1 lakh).
The rule on betting sponsors is particularly intriguing. This comes after Magnus Carlsen prominently displayed the logo of Betby, a B2B sports betting service provider, on his shirt and jacket at the recent Clutch Chess Champions Showdown. Under the new code, this would be a 'major infringement'. Carlsen, who famously withdrew from last year's World Rapid Championship after being pulled up for wearing jeans, has confirmed his participation this year, cheekily promising 'tighter jeans'.
Aronian's Flashy Shirts and a Nod to Past Controversies
Carlsen is not the only top player affected. The requirement for 'unicoloured shirts' could force the ever-stylish Levon Aronian, known for his vibrant and flashy shirts, to adopt a more subdued wardrobe. The new code has certainly sparked conversation within the chess community.
Chess legend Susan Polgar commented on X, noting that 'No 'Aronian' shirts will be allowed either from what I read but jeans are OK.' She also highlighted the arbiters' challenging task of being 'intensively trained to differentiate between non-distressed jeans and distressed jeans,' underscoring the new level of scrutiny players will face. The directives are a clear response to past incidents, aiming to present a more professional image for the sport as it gains a global audience.
With the tournament set to begin next month in Doha, all eyes will be on the players' opening moves, both on the 64 squares and in their choice of clothing, as FIDE enforces its most detailed dress code to date.
