New Delhi: A simple request for a selfie turned into something unexpected at Germany’s Gronk Freestyle Chess Festival. Before the game, Kazakhstan’s Arua Numan asked Magnus Carlsen Selfie. He agreed without hesitation and took a photo with her. However, he immediately informed tournament officials of the interaction. In accordance with the rules of chess, Nurman’s cell phone was immediately confiscated and the game started normally.Chess tournaments follow strict rules regarding electronic devices to prevent cheating. Players are not allowed to use or even keep their cell phones during gameplay unless they receive special permission.
Equipment must be closed and safely stored. Officials had to immediately confiscate Numan’s phone after he pulled it out to take a selfie.watch:Despite the awkward situation, the game continued without delay. Carlsen stayed focused and continued his strong performance in the match, ultimately defeating Nullman as part of his ongoing winning streak.Interestingly, a similar situation occurred at the same event last year. Another player took a photo with Carlson and later had their phones confiscated by officials.Nullman later said this early incident inspired her. “Last year, Etienne Bacrotte also took a selfie. I thought, why not? I’m very grateful to Magnus for agreeing to this,” she told ChessBase India.The game featured other unusual moments, including a complaint about a distracting watch worn by an opponent, which was eventually removed.Overall, while the selfie caused a brief stir, it highlights the seriousness with which chess authorities enforce the rules, even in seemingly innocuous situations.
