Top FIDE event in Kerala avoids repeat of Carlsen's 'jeansgate' scandal as Chief Arbiter lets players off the hook

Several competitors at the 1st Grandmaster International Open Chess Tournament were spotted playing in jeans, denim shorts, track pants and other forms of casual clothing, which is an unusual sight for FIDE events where dress rules normally require players to wear formals.

Kerala is currently hosting its biggest chess event in a long time with the 1st Grandmaster International Open Chess Tournament taking place in the town of Kanjikuzhy in Kottayam district. The event, however, might have witnessed a repeat of the
‘Jeansgate’ controversy involving Magnus Carlsen had the Chief Arbiter of the event not been as lenient.

The event, a Level 3 FIDE tournament, features competitors from at least 13 countries with 16 Grandmasters in action. Armenian GM Karen Grigoryan, with a current Standard rating of 2530, is the top seed at the event.

Several competitors, however, were spotted playing in jeans, denim shorts, track pants and other forms of casual clothing, which is an unusual sight for FIDE events where dress rules normally require players to wear formals.

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