As to any rule, there are always exceptions. They are the salt in the soup making photography [or almost anything else] more interesting.
Your break with the rule of thirds works perfectly here. You captured a gorgeous atmospheric sunrise; the central sun flare and the early mist add much to this fascinating image.
Absolutely mesmerizing, and many people have told what had to be told about rules, you also have quote from Ansel Adams everyday on my blog about the rules.
What i love on Aminus, among other things, is the freedom of many people who are above the rules because they very often learnt by themselves, and that's why so many are so talented. Freedom leads to real creation. "We don't need no education...hey, teachers ! Leave our kids alone !!".
never mind the "rule" ... it's breaking them that often leads to the best results! here, the sun bursting through the trees, the gentle diagonal and the gorgeous colours more than compensate for the "breaking of the rule" ... ;-)