Will Froese

Dear participants of the World Blitz Championships in New York, Let me begin by thanking all of you for your commitment to compete fairly and for bringing joy to millions of spectators all over the world. It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate the winners, Humpy Koneru and Volodar Murzin, for their hard-earned victories, as well as all those who were successful in the World Rapid Championships that finished yesterday. Coming to the last two days of 2024, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the teamwork conducted by all officials and partners at the events. In particular, with regard to creating the best possible conditions for all players and a consistent application of all previously adopted rules. It is unfortunate that the implementation of dress-code rules, while being legally sound and consistent, has left some feeling this is disproportionate and caused the situation everyone would have preferred to avoid, including some of the words being said at the peak of emotions that one would most probably regret afterwards. The withdrawal of Magnus Carlsen, who has played an exceptional role in elevating the sport of chess to the new heights during the last several years, was an extremely unfortunate consequence of this disconnect. I sincerely regret that this situation escalated without a resolution being found by both sides in time to prevent Magnus’s withdrawal. Having said that, FIDE remains committed to taking concrete steps to ensure that all players feel supported and valued, recognizing their vital role in inspiring fans and advancing the game worldwide. Let me underline that the basics of these rules have been developed carefully. I also hope that the active position of many other players now would lead to improving this important framework in the best interests of the fans, players, the partners and the media. The concerns raised by Magnus Carlsen highlight the need for further discussion about how to modernize the current approach, to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport. This includes a continued dialogue with players, sponsors, and the broader chess community, to align expectations and minimize the potential for conflicts in the future. Mutual respect and trust is a critical pre-condition to making this dialogue effective. We must collectively strive to preserve the integrity of chess while also ensuring that the sport remains inclusive and appealing. I look forward to seeing Magnus Carlsen and other top players continue to grace the chessboard in major international events, bringing excitement and inspiration to millions of fans worldwide. As far as the application of the rules during the World Blitz Championships is concerned, based on the consultations with our partners and their preferences, I took the decision to trial an approach to provide more flexibility to FIDE officials in judgements regarding the suitability of the attire. Special assistants will be requested to help in those judgements and make final conclusions, shall any doubts arise. The principle is simple: it is still required to follow the official dress-code, but elegant minor deviations (that may, in particular, include appropriate jeans matching the jacket) are allowed. In the end, it is New Year time, and I sincerely hope that nobody would try to undermine the festive mood, including by abusing this additional flexibility. FIDE is fully committed to another successful century for chess. Let us bring fun to all chess fans together. The game is just beginning! Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President

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