We, the undersigned, wish to protest the new rule in effect at the Baku Chess Olympiad (Open and Women’s sections) requiring players to notify arbiters when they wish to go to the lavatory. We would like to note that:

1.  The lavatories have always been considered part of the Playing Area, rendering the rule absurd.
2. This is humiliating to the players who should not have to discuss their bodily functions with FIDE officials.
3. In order for the process to work the arbiters will have to remain at their stations at all times, presuming that FIDE doesn’t intend players to become unwell in the Playing Area.
4. Even the arbiters may have to go to the lavatory themselves at some stage and it is quite unacceptable that players under great stress should have to await their return.
5. Indeed, under the stress of chess, many players go to the lavatory repeatedly during their games.  This in no way implies that they are cheating, merely nervous. Older players and those with a medical condition may also frequently have to visit the lavatories.

We respectfully suggest that it is not FIDE’s role to penalize players for their nervousness, age or a medical condition  and trust that this noxious rule will be rescinded.