Let’s be problem solvers and not problem makers!
What took place at the Tbilisi World Cup between GMs Kovalyov and Azmaiparashvili was very very very unfortunate!!!
Yes, players “should” dress better. You have no disagreement from me in general. However, the FIDE rules should be clearer. Even something as simple as which player has white in 1st game of the next match is unclear and many players mixed this up over the past many World Cup. I think most will agree that there is room for improvement in many areas within our chess community.
Yes, the organizers “should” have been more sensitive, professional, and diplomatic. No sane person will disagree with this.
And yes, players “should NOT” be disturbed minutes before a “life or death” elimination game. Almost everything could be resolved after the game, privately and professionally.
When any organizer is wrong about any particular incident, we can address it objectively. But it is wrong not to appreciate, or simply ignore the good things any organizer has done. I have been behind the scene of a number of major events like Chess Olympiads, World Cups, and World Championships. It is hard to raise tens of millions of dollars. It is also hard to make sure that everything is perfect. So much stress and pressure and it is a thankless task.
Just because most people think that GM Azmaiparashvili was wrong in this incident (I am one of them), it does not mean that we cannot appreciate him and his staff for raising the money and organizing this World Cup and next Olympiad. I am not participating in either so I have no stake in this fight. But we have to be fair to all parties.
GM Kovalyov should and will be paid his prizes. I have zero doubt in this. The next Chess Olympiad will be in Batumi. I have zero doubt in that.
The question now is what can we do to put this episode behind us and put the focus back on this very exciting and important event. 2 of the remaining 16 players will go on to the Candidates Tournament with a shot to challenge Carlsen for the title.
Now you can go ahead and attack me for being “too diplomatic” 🤣 It is time for the chess community to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. Chess players are trained to be problem solvers. Let’s fix the problems and not add more fuel into the fire 
🏁
I agree with you. But these rudeness by tournament officials must not be tolerated. They should be the epitome of patience and civility. Mr. Zurab overstepped his bounds. He should at least apologize for his unwarranted arrogance.
Of course you’re right, Susan. In my business (engineering and construction) we have a hard enough time getting organizations with 9 figure lines of credit to pony up $10 million on a project that will generate $5 million to their bottom line. Raising that kind of cash for a game is mind-boggling, to me.
My issue is with GM Azmaiparashvili’s failure to understand that as an organizer, he must be a facilitator, and be content to operate behind the scenes. When we see a duck swimming, it looks so serene from above, but we all know that his feet are going like crazy under water. Such is the life of the organizer and arbiter. He once was a headliner in chess, and also visibly contributed his knowledge to the phenomenon known as Garry Kasparov. But now he needs to accept a cloak of invisibility, as it were.
But he has to understand that those days are behind him now, he is no longer entitled to be the center of attention. I am sure that you understand that with your enthusiastic acceptance as your role as organizer, fund raiser, and chess coach.
Dubov for sure
I agree with your comments totally. This problem was handle badly and the fact that a professional chess player such as yourself . can see both sides of the issue is verty refreshing. Did the arbiter react badly? No doubt. Did the player violate the dress code? Yes. Like you said in your comments, these events are full of stressful situations. The proper resolve should be the player is paid his due winnings in total. The arbiter should issue an apology to the organizers for his reaction to the problem and also a formal apology from the player to the organizers along with an explanation of his actions if not already done. Lets put this behind us, the chess playing community!!