@mdinnerspace I read on chess base that Kovalyov is actually not a professional player, that he plays part-time and has a career outside of chess. I'm not saying this excuses the behavior exhibited; however, it does alter the situation a bit. He is not a full time chess pro.
Ahhh... thanks. My bad. He has played in many events the last few years.
We see headlines "Kovalyov forfeited from World Cup for wearing shorts" and "Kovalyov forced to forfeit from the World Cup". I think it's important to clarify it was entirely a voluntary decision and his alone. I read he's pursuing a degree in computer science. Good luck to him.
Disgusting.
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In my experience, if Kovalyov's claims are true, most if not all strong players that I know would have left the tournament in his position. You can't be expected to play at a high level after being treated so terribly, and leaving is the only way to stand up for yourself, especially if you were being threatened by further punitive action from FIDE.
If you don't believe that other top players would forfeit in this situation, just look at several other cases in history. Hou Yifan forfeited a somewhat recent game in a tournament herself just because she felt she was playing too many women. Fischer forfeited a game in the world championship simply because he didn't like cameras in the playing hall.
The way Kovalyov was allegedly treated was much worse than this, and there is no way he can be blamed for leaving. The way the organizers treated him over violating a rather vague dress code (I haven't seen shorts prohibited in any rules that have been made public) was simply shameful, and honestly has ruined the spirit of the entire world cup.
I think chess players should exhibit a bit more common sense. This is an important event and you shouldn't need to be told about dress code. What happened in the past doesn't count (different organisers, venue, etc) and he should have the sense to bring one pair of long pants just in case. His reason that he gained weight is also kind of silly.
Still, if Zurab did what Anton claimed he did, then Zurab clearly went out of line. The insults were not necessary.
Having said that, given that he was not warned during the first 2 rounds, the common sense thing to do is just to give Anton a warning and get him to buy a pair of slacks for the 2nd game, and not expect him to come up with 1 when the round has already started. All in all, a lack of common sense from all parties.
@Kgwm But in the official FIDE dress code it is explicitely allowed to wear Bermuda shorts. If the rules even say you're allowed to then why shouldn't you?
www.fide.com/images/stories/NEWS_2013/FIDE/Proposal_of_Ms._B._Marinello_in_respect_of_the_dress_code.pdf I have a feeling this will not be the last scandal we see in this World Cup. What struck me as odd was the pictures of Anton's opponent smiling after the forfeit was declared.
Winning the 3rd round is worth $6000 USD alone, so I'm sure pockets are getting lined somewhere. It doesn't take a sharp imagination to deduce who is benefiting here.
@MoistvonLipwig , thanks for pointing this out. I was a little careless in not doing any research, but simply assumed that shorts are not allowed in important events. The question would be whether there is another dress code stipulated by the organisers. If there is, then that dress code should take precedence. If there aren't, then I agree that Anton had not done anything wrong.
@Kgwm: The World Cup rules point to the official FIDE regulations (8.1) which stipulate "dignified appearance" without discussing specifics.
The last thing out of FIDE on the subject appears to be the link
@MoistvonLipwig pointed to (but I have not been able to find a reference to whether this proposal was also accepted as current policy) and so a person who wish to argue Bermuda shorts falls within a definition of "dignified appearance" wide enough to contain how chess players normally look would seem to have a very good case. At any rate no matter how players dress they should not have to deal with racial slurs...
