This is the report of an interested party. I do not know whether there were witnesses.
https://twitter.com/TarjeiJS/status/906554939052318720
If the CFC files a protest, I hope US Chess will consider supporting the protest.
My understanding is that he wore the same shorts earlier in the event and was not told there was a problem. If that’s true, the organizer is way out of line.
It’s the World Cup. Wearing shorts is not OK, and one really ought not have to be told that to know that.
I don’t disagree with that, and if this was the first round I might look at this situation a little differently. If he wore them in earlier rounds and it was ignored, it’s a different matter entirely.
The report I saw posted on face book was that he had worn shorts in previous rounds, and claims he would have gone to a mall to buy some pants if he had been notified that it was required. Now I do not agree with how this was handled by either side. There are clear dress codes in FIDE for major events. So, even if a weight gain meant pants wouldn’t fit but shorts would the player still should have taken the time to get new pants. On the other hand having the organizer yell at the player and call him a gypsy [as a slur] is not proper either. After the yelling the player just up and left and forfeited the match.
Larry S. Cohen
I think the question of the dress code is secondary to the behavior of Azmaiparashvili. It is simple common sense that Arbiters and other event officials should carry out their duties in a non-confrontational manner designed to avoid creating additional problems.
By all accounts, the Chief Arbiter was a perfect gentleman when he raised the issue with Kovalyov. However, then Chief Organizer Azmaiparashvili charged in and, confirmed by his own account, was hyper-aggressive and insulting - causing the player to lose his temper and leave the tournament. This was completely unnecessary.
There was more than a little irony in this incident. Take a look at the photos in this article:
chess.com/news/view/dress-c … v-forfeits
The Arbiters all all dressed in suits and ties. Meanwhile, as he confronts Kovalyov about his attire, Chief Organizer Azmaiparashvili is wearing wrinkled jeans and a sports shirt.
– Hal Terrie
Um, don’t they wear shorts in other World Cups? Soccer? Basketball? Beach volleyball??
Bill Smythe
In the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, they wear long white trousers, double-breasted white jackets and toques. 
What I wonder is this - is this the entire story?? Could the Canadian GM have been approached between rounds and been asked politely to refrain from the shorts in subsequent rounds, and simply
refused to do so?? If so, would that not change at least to some degree, the anti-organizer rant here??
Rob Jones
deleted remarks made in closed forum & not intended for open forum—WHB
I disagree. He apparently wore shorts at a previous event and alleges he was told by a FIDE official that shorts were ok. He wore the same shorts in the first two rounds with no problems.
Dress codes, to be enforceable must, however vaguely drafted (and they can be vague in my experience having taught in middle and high school), be in place and made know to the competitor before hand. How would this organizer, not arbiter, have reacted to a competitor from Bermuda wearing a suit and tie with shorts and socks and garters?* There is something of a culture clash here with an organizer who has a history of improper behavior.
Would it not have been better to allow him to play the round in shorts and require that in all future rounds that he wear long pants (would Swiss knickers be OK?)? I’m sure the city has a place where he could buy or rent a pair of pants.
I saw a photo of the player, and while I did not like his shorts due to the plaid pattern, I don’t see the problem if there was no explicit dress code prohibition. Calling him a gypsy, if true is a racial slur that must be sanctioned by FIDE. Will they sanction the organizer? LOL…
- I played a tournament in New England this year where a male player was wearing a kilt. Alex Relyea didn’t say a thing…
From the Canadian’s twitter feed,
“Worth pointing out, I didn’t take any pants with me because I gained some weight and they were to tight. If the organization of the tournament would have warned me sooner I would have taken a cab to the mall and bought pants, without any problems whatsoever, but instead I was treated like garbage. I was too stressed out by the way I was treated and the threats of being punished by FIDE no matter what I do, so I choose to leave before I do anything stupid. Another point worth pointing out, Zurab never asked me to go and change, the conversation consisted of threats, insults, and agressive behavior from Zurab. He was clearly provoking me. I will not appeal anything. I am disgusted by this type of people. I don’t want the money. I’m coming back home.”
Zurab Azmaiparashvili clarifies the “context” of using the word “Gypsy” which he admits he did.
youtu.be/94yv9OLcVQw
What I have not seen is the actual dress code.
Here’s what was proposed back in 2013, I’m not sure if that’s what passed:
I would argue that the type of shorts worn qualified as Bermuda shorts which are specifically OK for play though not for awards ceremonies.
Regardless - this entire story appears rather nonsensical. First from a PROFESSIONAL players perspective. It is the job of the player to find out what the dress codes at prestigious events are
BEFOREHAND. Second, from a Organizational viewpoint - it is NOT the role of organizers to confront players on the playing floor, about ANYTHING. this is the role of the Tournament Direction
Staff. If the organizer has problems with players while they are on the floor, it should go through the TD staff, first. Proper protocol.
And IF an organizer Does wish to unnecessarily interfere themselves, they need to use appropriate language and respect. Calling players “gypsies” most would not call respectful.
My two cents,
Rob Jones
Gypsies would not be caught dead wearing Bermuda shorts. 
The island of Bermuda should file a formal protest against the disreputable aspersions made toward a style of dress attributed to the culture of the people of Bermuda. Compared to what the organizer was wearing, torn jeans and a Polo shirt, Bermuda shorts and a hoodie are more like formal wear. 
Players dress for conditions. It is not uncommon for players to dress for a warm room, but also carry a sweater or sweatshirt in case the air conditioning is on full blast. It is chess, played out in the middle of nowhere in a warm venue in the summer with minimal media coverage. Caring about what the players wear is absurd, puritanical, and authoritarian, take your pick.
deleted remarks made in closed forum & not intended for open forum—WHB
Why is this in the US Chess Issues forum? It wasn’t a US Chess event, it wasn’t even in the USA!