FIDE Dress Code Policy Proposal

By B. Marinello

Objective: It is important to promote a good and positive image of chess. Attire worn during all phases of the championships and events should be in good taste and appropriate to such a prestigious chess event.

Regulations
 
1. Events regulated by the Dress Code

1.a World Events for Adult Players (over 21 years old)

World Championship Match
Candidates Tournament
Women’s World Championship Match
Chess Olympiad
World Team Championship
Women’s World Team Championship
World Cup
FIDE Grand Prix Series
Women’s FIDE Grand Prix Series
World Amateur Championships
World Rapid and Blitz Championships
Women’s World Rapid and Blitz Championships

1.b World Events for Junior and Youth Players (under 21 years old)
World Junior U20 Chess Championships
World Youth Championships
World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad
World School Individual Championship

1.c Presidential Board Meetings and FIDE Congresses

1.d. Other Official Events (Regulations only affects FIDE representatives)
SportAccord Convention
IPCA World Individual Chess Championship
FISU University Olympiad
World Congress of Chess Composition
World Chess Solving Championship
World Chess Championship for Disabled
South East Asia (SEA) Games
SportAccord Mind Games

1.e. Continental events are regulated by each continent

1.f. In regard of this Dress Code, other tournaments sanctioned by the FIDE rules and ratings are under the regulations of Nationals Federations.

1.g. Exception can be made on the basis of health and religion.

2. Who are affected by the Code of Dress?

2.a. Players participating in the events, captains, Head of Delegations.
2.b. Tournament Organizer and Staff. This includes arbiters, and other people working at the event.
2.c. FIDE officials and representatives attending the event.

3. Dress Code for players during games in progress

3.a. The following is acceptable for men players, captains, head of delegation.

Suits, ties, dressy pants, trousers, jeans, long-sleeve or shirt-sleeve dress shirt, dress shirt, alternatively T-shirts or polo, dress shoes, loafers or dressy slip-ons, socks, shoes or sneakers, sport coat, blazer, Bermuda shorts, turtleneck, jacket, vest or sweater. Team uniforms and national costumes clothing.

3.b. The following is NOT acceptable for men players, captains, head of delegation

Beach-wear slips, profanity and nude or semi-nude pictures printed on shirts, torn pants or jeans. holes, denim shorts, short-shorts, cut-off shorts, gym shorts, unclean clothing, sun glasses, sport caps.

3.c. The following is acceptable for women players

Women’s suits, dresses. skirts, blouses, turtleneck, T-shirts or poloʼs, trousers, jeans or slacks, footwear (boots, flats, mid-heel or high-heel shoes, sneakers with sock), jacket, vest or sweater, a scarf, as well as jewelry (earrings, necklace, etc.) coordinated to the outfit may be worn. Team uniforms, national costumes clothing.

3.d. The following is NOT acceptable for women players

Beach-wear slips, profanity and nude or semi-nude pictures printed on shirts, torn pants or jeans. holes, noticeable unclean clothing, sun glasses, sport caps. Revealing attire. Clothes such as denim shorts, short-shorts, cut-off shorts, gym shorts, crop tops, tank tops, and clothes made of see-through materials or clothes that expose areas of the body usually covered in the location where the event is taking place.

4. Dress Code for winning teams and players (Includes players, captains, head of delegations) for awards ceremonies

Business casual (European standards), which means long trousers or pants, shirt, jacket, with or without tie (no t-shirts, no polo, no jeans, no sports shoes or sneakers or slippers, no hats or caps (except for religious reasons) and the equivalent style of dress for women players.

National costumes and team uniforms are allowed.

5. Dress Code for arbiters, organizers, FIDE official and representatives at FIDE events including Presidential Board meetings, Executive Meetings and Congresses

Business casual (European standards), which means long trousers or pants, shirt, jacket, with or without tie (no t-shirts, no polo, no jeans, no sports shoes or sneakers or slippers, no hats or caps (except for religious reasons) and the equivalent style of dress for women.

6. Handling Dress Code Violations

The dress code will be enforced at all FIDE events. The following are the people in the position to enforce the dress code:
Chief Arbiter or Tournament Director
Event Organizer
Organizing Committee
Members of the Presidential Board attending the event

A player not in proper dress code will not be allowed to play, until she or he comply with the FIDE Dress Code. Tournament staff and FIDE officials/representatives not in proper dress code will be asked to remove him or herself from the event or meeting until complying with the FIDE Dress Code.

There is no dress code at any function that is away from the playing hall, provided that the host facility for that function does not have a dress code.