Watch: Chess player’s phone seized after rule-breaking selfie with Magnus Carlsen

9 Apr 2026 • 9:15 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Kazakhstan's 18-year-old grandmaster Alua Nurman took a selfie with world number one Magnus Carlsen at Germany's Grenke Chess Festival.
  • Carlsen, a five-time world champion, agreed to the photograph with Nurman before their match.
  • Immediately after the selfie, Carlsen reported Nurman to an official for having a phone in her possession, which is against competition rules.
  • Nurman's phone was subsequently confiscated by officials.
  • Despite the incident, the chess match between Nurman and Carlsen proceeded as scheduled.

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