Is Chess Less Sexy 'Cause of Ban on Revealing Clothes at Tournaments?

Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012

Hi everyone,

We found this interesting article in the Daily Mail. The debate is ongoing. But, it is interesting to have some guidelines - do they really add to the decorum of a chess tournament and make it more professional? Enjoy reading, and do leave a comment if you have something to say!

Checkmate! 'No cleavage' dress code makes chess tournaments less sexy than ever
PUBLISHED: 13:09 GMT, 9 March 2012 | UPDATED: 13:16 GMT, 9 March 2012

In chess, the ultimate battle of wits, concentration is key.
So imagine trying to stay a step ahead while your opponent's plunging neckline looms inches from your pawns.
A women's chess championship taking place in Turkey is the first since strict rules were introduced to stop players flaunting their bodies.
 

Make your move: A new dress code for chess tournaments means revealing clothes are banned

And though it's never been the sexiest of pastimes, now its governing body, the European Chess Union, has seen to it that competitors of both sexes will have to dress more modestly.

In the city of Gaziantep, those taking part in the European Individual Women Chess Championships have been told that blouses must be open no lower than the second-top button.

The union's general secretary, Woman Grandmaster Sava Stoisavljevic, brushed off suggestions that the new dress code might stop women distracting male opponents.

Rules: A women's chess tournament currently being held in Turkey is the first since the European code came in effect

Instead, she said, the wide-ranging rules were brought in to restore a sense of decorum to the game after tournament bosses noticed many of the players were not wearing 'proper clothes'.

'I was here during three rounds and I've got an impression that we have to work much more on those regulations,' Mrs Stoisavljevic said. She added: 'Once, when I was working as an arbiter, I warned one player, even though there were no any rules at that time, because she kept coming to the playing hall dressed like someone who was going to the beach.'

And on players who like to show a little leg, she said: 'It's nice to see chess players with short skirts – they are very pretty girls. But I believe there should still be some limit.'

The European code makes no such demands, but others dictate that skirts should be no shorter than 5-10cm above the knee.

FASHION TIPS FROM NEW DRESS CODE

'In respect to shirts, the second from the top button may also be opened in addition to the very top button'
Clothes 'should be crisp and show no excessive wear, no holes and shall be free of body odor'
High heels are in, flip-flops are out
The rules demand 'a pulled-together, harmonious, complete look with colors, fabrics, shoes and accessories, for both men and women'
After two warnings, verbal and then written, 'If a player is then still in breach of the Dress Code he/she can be sent back to dress appropriately'
'Spectators not properly attired will have to leave the playing area'

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com