European Chess Union introduces 'no cleavage' dress code

London, Mar 10 (ANI): European chess officials have introduced a dress code for tournaments to make sure the game maintains its modesty.

The European Chess Union acted after some women turned up dressed 'like someone going to the beach', provoking comments among the men.

The union's general secretary, Woman Grandmaster Sava Stoisavljevic, brushed off suggestions that the new dress code might stop women distracting male opponents.

Instead, she said, the wide-ranging rules were brought in to restore a sense of decorum to the game after tournament bosses noticed many of the players were not wearing 'proper clothes'.

"I was here during three rounds and I've got an impression that we have to work much more on those regulations," the Daily Mail quoted her as telling German website ChessBase.

"Once, when I was working as an arbiter, I warned one player, even though there were no any rules at that time, because she kept coming to the playing hall dressed like someone who was going to the beach.

"It's nice to see chess players with short skirts - they are very pretty girls. But I believe there should still be some limit," she said.

Some of the demands of the new code are -

"In respect to shirts, the second from the top button may also be opened in addition to the very top button"

Clothes "should be crisp and show no excessive wear, no holes and shall be free of body odour"

High heels are in, flip-flops are out

The rules demand "a pulled-together, harmonious, complete look with colours, fabrics, shoes and accessories, for both men and women"

After two warnings, verbal and then written, "If a player is then still in breach of the Dress Code he/she can be send back to dress appropriately"

"Spectators not properly attired will have to leave the playing area". (ANI)