Carlsen Gets Opponent Alua Nurman's Phone Confiscated at Grenke Chess Freestyle Open in Germany

A moment of sportsmanship quickly turned into controversy during a match involving Magnus Carlsen at the Grenke Chess Freestyle Open in Karlsruhe, after the world No. 1 allowed his opponent Alua Nurman to take a selfie before the game—only to later have her phone removed moments before play began.

The brief pre-match interaction appeared friendly, with Nurman approaching Carlsen for a photograph. The Norwegian grandmaster obliged, smiling for the selfie. However, shortly afterward, Carlsen approached the arbiter and requested action regarding the presence of the phone, leading to an official stepping in to confiscate the device.

A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, capturing the sequence where the arbiter asks Nurman to hand over her phone. The match proceeded normally after the device was removed, with no further interruptions reported during the game.

Also Read: Gukesh Steps Back: World Chess Champion to Play Fewer Events, Prioritise Title Defence

Tournament regulations strictly prohibit players from possessing or using mobile phones during matches, as part of anti-cheating measures. The arbiter’s intervention was therefore in line with official chess rules, which are designed to maintain fairness and prevent any external assistance during play.

The incident has sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising Carlsen for upholding the rules while others questioned the timing of the request. The episode adds to a series of viral moments involving the five-time world champion, including a previous outburst following a loss to Arjun Erigaisi at the FIDE World Blitz Championship.

Also Read: Bayern Beat Freiburg 3-2 as Bischof Brace and Karl's 100th Season Goal Complete Comeback