Dutch chess player Anna-Maja Kazarian was fined at the World Blitz Chess Championship in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, for violating the tournament’s dress code.
Kazarian posted on social media Wednesday that one of the judges approached him and told him the 23-year-old chess player needed to change out of his Burberry shoes because they were considered sneakers. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) tournament rules state that chess players should be dressed appropriately, and while tennis shoes are permitted, sneakers are not.
The chess player wrote that, in his opinion, he is far from sports shoes, because even walking in designer sneakers is not comfortable. A few hours later, the young chess player published another post in which he photographed the 100 euro fine imposed on him.
“In addition to FIDE ruining my tournament, I slept very badly and had no appetite. Only due to some dodgy shoes,” Kazarian wrote.
One of the referees stopped me and asked me if I could change my shoes because they were “strange shoes” and considered “sports shoes”.
It hurts just to walk in those shoes and I definitely don’t want to use my Burberry trainers for sports pic.twitter.com/5OD1CwlbBt
— Anna-Maja Kazarian (@AMKazarian) December 27, 2023
Prominent names in the world of chess, including former world champion Susan Polgar, have pointed out that FIDE has set different rules for women and men. While restrictions on men’s clothing remain relatively simple, women’s clothing is more limited.
Pavel Tregubov, head of FIDE’s technical delegation and Grand Master, told the New York Times that he understood Kazarian’s concerns. “FIDE is working to define the definition of sports shoes in future competitions,” said Tregubov, who added that a total of five yellow cards were handed out during the tournament, all for wearing sports shoes.
Kazarian also stated that the referees’ behavior was rude and made him feel like a criminal. “Kazarian was the only player who objected. Everyone else accepted the penalty,” Tregubov said. “I’m very sorry if you felt that way. Usually referees are cowards. Not like in football.”
Kazarian finished the tournament in 103rd place. Mai Narva took 12th place, Russian Anastasia Bondaruk became the world champion. The Blitz World Championship tournament will begin in Samarkand on Friday.
2023-12-29 10:51:00
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