Magnus Carlsen Complained to Referees After Selfie With Kazakh Chess Player

Magnus Carlsen complained to referees about a phone after taking a selfie with 18-year-old Kazakh chess player Alua Nurman at the Grenke Chess Festival in Germany, Orda.kz reports.

The incident took place at the Grenke Chess Festival in Germany. Before the start of the second round against Magnus Carlsen, 18-year-old Alua Nurman of Kazakhstan asked the Norwegian grandmaster for a photo.

The video was published by leading Indian chess portal ChessBase. The footage shows Nurman asking for a picture. Carlsen does not refuse, and even poses and smiles. But after the selfie, the Norwegian grandmaster went to the arbiters and reported that the Kazakh player had a mobile phone with her.

Under tournament rules, phones are strictly prohibited during games. A judge then came to the table and took the gadget from the Kazakh player.

Alua Nurman later posted a video of the moment on her Instagram page and captioned it: “Magnus remains Magnus.”

She also published the selfie with Carlsen.

The dream has come true! It is a really exciting game. Thank you all very much for your warm supportNurman wrote. 

The game ended in Carlsen’s victory.

Alua Nurman is the top-ranked Kazakh chess player under 20 in the FIDE ratings, the Asian blitz champion, and a silver medalist of the 2024 Women’s Chess Olympiad as part of Kazakhstan’s national team.

Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen is the 16th world chess champion.

Original author: Rimma Karatayeva

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