Nepomniachtchi was not happy with FIDE for the literal observance of the dress code

During the Rapid and Blitz World Championships, Ian Nepomniachtchi put on a T-shirt with the phrase “What are you staring at, idiot? Get out of here!”, which Lionel Messi said in the quarterfinal match of the FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands to Wout Weghorst.

The organizers demanded Nepomniachtchi to change clothes, as his clothes violate the rules of the dress code.

“I think there is nothing wrong with the official dress code. But it’s another thing at a blitz tournament, where half of the games end on a flag. It is clear that beach shorts and flip—flops are probably superfluous, but some reasonable balance between the convenience of the players and the dress code must be observed without distortions in one direction or another,” – Nepomniachtchi said.

The Russian grandmaster also noted that the judge’s behavior was unprofessional.

“This story is overblown. This is unprofessional from the point of view of FIDE and, in particular, the arbitrator. I was very dissatisfied. For three rounds, instead of playing, I dealt with the federation. Then I somehow pulled myself together. But this handicap of three rounds at a distance in general did not help me,” he added.