Dress code for WCA competitions | Magnus FIDE jeans drama

[abunickabhi]

I agree with the stance that Magnus took. Wearing jeans is comfortable in the weather and he should be given some leniency from the dress code prescribed by the FIDE.

I have faced some dress code issues myself at WCA comp this year in May, when I had to change my shirt mid-round because it had a logo of a cube store that is sponsoring me. That was my last competition as a trainee delegate as I got completely pissed off being told to change my shirt immediately. I had to buy a shirt from the mall nearby and change and continue the competition. I had the same feeling as Magnus as it spoilt my mood completely and made me pissed off at the main delegate. I enjoy WCA comps more nowadays doing delegate duties without being listed as a delegate. I do not want the official status quo and reputation that a delegate gets. I just want to help out and grow the cubing community in India.

I am happy Magnus is moving away from FIDE and carving his own niche with Freestyle chess and CCT. I also want other cubing leagues to emerge that completely overshadow the WCA activities.

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

I agree with the stance that Magnus took. Wearing jeans is comfortable in the weather and he should be given some leniency from the dress code prescribed by the FIDE.

I have faced some dress code issues myself at WCA comp this year in May, when I had to change my shirt mid-round because it had a logo of a cube store that is sponsoring me. That was my last competition as a trainee delegate as I got completely pissed off being told to change my shirt immediately. I had to buy a shirt from the mall nearby and change and continue the competition. I had the same feeling as Magnus as it spoilt my mood completely and made me pissed off at the main delegate. I enjoy WCA comps more nowadays doing delegate duties without being listed as a delegate. I do not want the official status quo and reputation that a delegate gets. I just want to help out and grow the cubing community in India.

I am happy Magnus is moving away from FIDE and carving his own niche with Freestyle chess and CCT. I also want other cubing leagues to emerge that completely overshadow the WCA activities.

that kind of dress code is kinda dumb for these kinds of sports/hobbies

 

[Tabe]

I agree with the stance that Magnus took. Wearing jeans is comfortable in the weather and he should be given some leniency from the dress code prescribed by the FIDE.

I have faced some dress code issues myself at WCA comp this year in May, when I had to change my shirt mid-round because it had a logo of a cube store that is sponsoring me. That was my last competition as a trainee delegate as I got completely pissed off being told to change my shirt immediately. I had to buy a shirt from the mall nearby and change and continue the competition. I had the same feeling as Magnus as it spoilt my mood completely and made me pissed off at the main delegate. I enjoy WCA comps more nowadays doing delegate duties without being listed as a delegate. I do not want the official status quo and reputation that a delegate gets. I just want to help out and grow the cubing community in India.

I am happy Magnus is moving away from FIDE and carving his own niche with Freestyle chess and CCT. I also want other cubing leagues to emerge that completely overshadow the WCA activities.

I mean, this exact situation is specifically covered in the Code of Ethics that you're supposed to be familiar with as a delegate. Do you really think officials should be able to advertise?

 

[abunickabhi]

I mean, this exact situation is specifically covered in the Code of Ethics that you're supposed to be familiar with as a delegate. Do you really think officials should be able to advertise?

They should not advertise, but they should given some time if they make an honest mistake and forget to wear the non-sponsor shirt.

Also a WCA only jacket over the sponsorship shirt is a workable solution. We can take off the jacket when our solves are being done and self-recorded or recorded by others. In all other times, wear the jacket and cover the sponsorship details. On that particular day, I just had the sponsorship shirt on me and had to scramble for another shirt from a shop nearby.

 

[Tabe]

They should not advertise, but they should given some time if they make an honest mistake and forget to wear the non-sponsor shirt.

Also a WCA only jacket over the sponsorship shirt is a workable solution. We can take off the jacket when our solves are being done and self-recorded or recorded by others. In all other times, wear the jacket and cover the sponsorship details. On that particular day, I just had the sponsorship shirt on me and had to scramble for another shirt from a shop nearby.

You were given time to go over to the mall and buy another shirt. Instead of being mad at the delegate, take it as a learning lesson on being prepared to do the job you're there to do.

 

[abunickabhi]

You were given time to go over to the mall and buy another shirt. Instead of being mad at the delegate, take it as a learning lesson on being prepared to do the job you're there to do.

Yes correct, point understood in hindsight.

 

[unirox13]

Pardon my lack of WCA and FIDE knowledge. I obviously know of both, however never competed in either. I was completely unaware that there were semi-strict dress code rules for either of them. Can someone summarize those rules to me in 25 words or less?

 

[UKCubeFan]

I played in board game world championships, not aware of any particular dress code. Chess needs to chill.

 

[bldcuber314]

Pardon my lack of WCA and FIDE knowledge. I obviously know of both, however never competed in either. I was completely unaware that there were semi-strict dress code rules for either of them. Can someone summarize those rules to me in 25 words or less?

I don't do chess, but this is the only WCA regulation about this-

'Competitors must be appropriately dressed while in the competition venue. At the discretion of the WCA Delegate, competitors may be disqualified from the competition for inappropriate clothing.'

 

[Cuber Score]

I agree with the stance that Magnus took. Wearing jeans is comfortable in the weather and he should be given some leniency from the dress code prescribed by the FIDE.

I have faced some dress code issues myself at WCA comp this year in May, when I had to change my shirt mid-round because it had a logo of a cube store that is sponsoring me. That was my last competition as a trainee delegate as I got completely pissed off being told to change my shirt immediately. I had to buy a shirt from the mall nearby and change and continue the competition. I had the same feeling as Magnus as it spoilt my mood completely and made me pissed off at the main delegate. I enjoy WCA comps more nowadays doing delegate duties without being listed as a delegate. I do not want the official status quo and reputation that a delegate gets. I just want to help out and grow the cubing community in India.

I am happy Magnus is moving away from FIDE and carving his own niche with Freestyle chess and CCT. I also want other cubing leagues to emerge that completely overshadow the WCA activities.

Obviously there is justification for the banning of shirts with certain logos if it by chance implies that a staff member is being sponsored. But demanding that you immediately change is obviously bogus. As long as you know the mistake and change eventually, there shouldn't be any problem.

Regarding FIDE, I believe the whole dress code is completely absurd. It's another rule that I think alienates the general public from pursuing chess. I really hope the WCA doesn't adopt a culture like that, where it's overly concerned about image and the skill of its participants.

 

[xyzzy]

I mean, this exact situation is specifically covered in the Code of Ethics that you're supposed to be familiar with as a delegate. Do you really think officials should be able to advertise?

Relevant quote from the WCA Code of Ethics:

4.4 Listed WCA Delegates must not wear apparel which could reasonably be interpreted as an official affiliation or agreement with the WCA.
4.4.1 Delegates may wear personal sponsorship apparel while they are competing.

 

[arbivara]

Obviously there is justification for the banning of shirts with certain logos if it by chance implies that a staff member is being sponsored. But demanding that you immediately change is obviously bogus. As long as you know the mistake and change eventually, there shouldn't be any problem.

Regarding FIDE, I believe the whole dress code is completely absurd. It's another rule that I think alienates the general public from pursuing chess. I really hope the WCA doesn't adopt a culture like that, where it's overly concerned about image and the skill of its participants.

In the Fide case, this is not a dress code for all competitions, but specific to World Rapid and Blitz Championship (other comps may have different dress codes)

I played in board game world championships, not aware of any particular dress code. Chess needs to chill.

I mostly agree, but I'm not the one searching for sponsorship (for whom the dress code might be an important part of the deal)

 

[abunickabhi]

Relevant quote from the WCA Code of Ethics:

4.4 Listed WCA Delegates must not wear apparel which could reasonably be interpreted as an official affiliation or agreement with the WCA.
4.4.1 Delegates may wear personal sponsorship apparel while they are competing.

Yes correct,

my point is that it is hard to juggle 4.4 and 4.4.1 during an actual comp,

and it is just better to choose one role.

 

[unirox13]

Again, pardon, but I'm still slightly confused. I sorta, kinda, almost get the chess thing. Wanting folks to look neat and tidy, although in today's day and age...?

But what impact does a sponsors logo have on a delegate's ability to do their task during a WCA comp? Is there some absurd fear of them asking every competitor where they bought their puzzles and judging them differently?

In larger sporting competitions, even the x-games, it makes sense. The judges could certainly be accused of judging unfairly based upon common sponsors. But cubing still being such a small competitive hobby with very little wiggle room for bias, I just don't quite get the dress code concept. It's not liking cubing is point-based and you could possibly give someone a lower score because of their preferred puzzle.

 

[OtaMota]

Delegates are representatives of the WCA. If a delegate is wearing a sponsorship from a cube manufacturer company, then it may look like the wca is partnering with this company.

 

[Fred]

So delegates need to be blank center caps.

 

[Tabe]

But demanding that you immediately change is obviously bogus.

What makes it "obviously bogus"? Again, it's right in the rules all competitors agree to and delegates are supposed to familiar with.

 

[Cuber Score]

What makes it "obviously bogus"? Again, it's right in the rules all competitors agree to and delegates are supposed to familiar with.

Right, but if you're in the middle of competing when someone demands you change then it's ridiculous. There are more appropriate times to approach someone about that.

 

[abunickabhi]

Right, but if you're in the middle of competing when someone demands you change then it's ridiculous. There are more appropriate times to approach someone about that.

Yes the lead delegate could have been patient and assertive about pointing this out.

Also after this incident, I strongly started to believe that delegates should not compete.
So, I dropped delegating and now just focus on competing, even though I am much more experienced than the delegates in my region. I can always assist or advice them off the record.

 

[Tabe]

Right, but if you're in the middle of competing when someone demands you change then it's ridiculous. There are more appropriate times to approach someone about that.

Given that a delegate is allowed to wear sponsored clothing while actively competing, your answer doesn't apply.