Chess Player Hears It For Walking Too Loudly, Which Is Tame By Recent Chess Scandal Standards

In the world of chess, you'd better tread lightly, and I mean that in the most literal sense possible.

That's right, kids; we've got another controversy from the world of chess, and for once, it doesn't involve a player using a sex toy as a cheating aid. 

Sorry if that disappoints you…

The Candidates Tournament is happening right now in Toronto and features eight of the best chess players in the world.

As you may have picked up from chess stories in the past, that world is full of "characters," for lack of a better term.

One of the players in the tournament is Alireza Firouzja. He's an Iranian-born player who represents France. He's got one win in the tournament, but he also got a warning from chief arbiter Aris Marghetis to switch up his footwear.

That's because during his match against Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi, another player complained that he was walking too loudly.

"The floors are a little bit creaky, the players are used to that. When most players walk around during a round, you hear a creak. But Mr Firouzja had a very heavy footfall, it sounded like boots. It was stompish, if you will," Marghetis said, according to Reuters.

Wait… heavy, "stompish" footfalls that sound like boots? Does Alireza Firouzja live in the apartment above me?

Chess grandmaster Alireza Firouzja was told to quit stomping around during a match. (Photo by Marcus Brandt/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Firouzji Claims He Was Wronged By This Warning, And He Might Have A Point

First of all, I didn't realize you could leave the table during a chess match. I thought you were in it for the long haul, but apparently, you can wander around a little bit and stretch the ol' legs.

You probably can't go take a leak or grab a hot dog, but why not? As long as you walk quietly, you should be able to do whatever.

I'm all for gamesmanship, but I have a hard time believing that Firouzja purposely stomped around like Herman Munster to throw players off their game. 

However, I think whoever complained was trying to find a way to throw the Frenchman off of his game, because he was hot under the collar after being told to walk a little more gently.

Meghetis said that Firouzja threatened to file an appeal against him for distracting him. 

I think he might have a point. He said he has been wearing the same shoes for a year and they're only a problem now.

He's got a point. Maybe he can show up with different shoes but ones that wouldn't irritate stuffy chess people anymore.

He should show up wearing a pair of Crocs just to watch their brains melt.