Top Chinese player lashes out at FIDE after being fined for dress code violation | Chess News

Grandmaster Zhu Jiner has slammed FIDE for being fined for a dress code violation in the recently-concluded World Blitz Championship in New York.
The 22-year-old, who won a bronze in the previous edition lost to India’s R Vaishali 2.5-1.5 in the quarterfinals of the FIDE Women’s World Blitz Championship.
“The actions of the FIDE officials during this crucial stage disrupted my performance, and as a result of this interference, I lost the match, missing the opportunity to advance to the semi-finals—a deeply unfortunate outcome,” Zhu wrote an open letter.
In the same tournament, Magnus Carlsen has also been disqualified for violating FIDE dress code for the event. Magnus Carlsen was fined $200 for wearing jeans before Chief Arbiter Alex Holowzsak disqualified him for repeated violation. But however, later the rules were tweaked and Magnus played in the Blitz competition.
Here’s the full text of Zhu Jiner’s open letter
“I am writing to express my deep anger and frustration regarding the incident that occurred during the World Blitz Knockout Stage of the 2024 FIDE Women’s World Blitz Championship and the handling of the situation. The actions of the FIDE officials during this crucial stage disrupted my performance, and as a result of this interference, I lost the match, missing the opportunity to advance to the semi-finals—a deeply unfortunate outcome.
“First, I must address the completely inappropriate and unjust fine imposed on me during the tournament. As a player, I have always believed that the utmost respect for the rules and for the players is essential. However, the way this official enforced the rules was neither fair nor respectful. The clothing I wore—a sweater, trousers, and boots—did not violate any official dress code guidelines. I wore these boots throughout the tournament without any objection from anyone. To suddenly face such interference in the middle of the match, especially when I was so close to reaching the semi-finals, is truly inconceivable.
“If there were concerns about players’ attire, these should have been addressed prior to the match, not during the match, particularly in a blitz format where time is incredibly precious. This situation highlights a lack of understanding of what athletes need and detracts from the very essence of chess. Such interference is unnecessary and weakens the fairness of the tournament.
“As the third place finisher in the 2023 FIDE Women’s World Blitz Championship, I had hoped to further improve my results in this competition. While I may not receive the same level of attention as Mr. Magnus Carlsen, all people are equal, and men and women are equal in every regard. The regulations must apply equally to all players.
“I am deeply grateful to the sponsors who organized this event in the heart of New York City, providing an excellent platform for chess. However, the way the officials handled the incident overshadowed the positives of the tournament. This unwarranted interference directly dracted me and negatively impacted my performance. It is no exaggeration to say that this interference led to my loss in the subsequent round, there preventing me from advancing to the semi-finals. An official who does not understand his own rules, should not interfere with the players, and should not influence the fairness of the game with his personal will.
“The damage caused this incident is reflected not only in my missed opportunity to continue the competition, but also in the fairness of the competition and the respect for the players. This situation cannot be overlooked. I am calling for a full resolution of this matter, including the implementation of appropriate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again in future tournaments. Players deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, which includes adherence to clear and fair rules, not arbitrary decisions based on personal discretion that can influence the outcome of the game.
“I look forward to receiving a detailed response from FIDE and the relevant officials.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Jiner Zhu!”

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