Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen was unable to defend his title at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship because of his jeans.
Carlsen, currently No. 1 in the world rankings, was excluded from the tournament in 2019. new york Friday after receiving a $200 fine and warning from FIDE for dress code violations. The five-time world champion was told he could not continue until he changed his jeans, but a defiant Carlsen had no intention of doing so.
Rapid & Blitz Chess winner and 5-time World Chess Champion at the 6th TATA Steel Chess India Tournament held at Dono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, India on November 17, 2024 Norwegian GM Magnus Carlsen and Indian GM Arjun Eligaishi play chess. (Samir Jana/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
“The FIDE regulations for the World Rapid Chess Championship and Blitz Chess Championship, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants,” the organization said in a statement Friday.
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“Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen violated the dress code by wearing jeans, which is expressly prohibited by the event's long-standing regulations. The presiding arbitrator issued Mr. Carlsen a notice of violation and fined him $200. Unfortunately, Mr. Carlsen declined, so this decision is fair and applies equally to all players. ”
Carlsen could have accepted the disqualification for this round and continued into Saturday's tournament, but he told Take Take in an interview after the incident that he had no intention of continuing.
“Honestly, I'm too old to care too much at this point. I think if this is what they want to do, it goes both ways, right? Nobody wants to go backwards, And this is where we are. That's okay. I'll probably go somewhere with a little more weather than here. ”
Magnus Carlsen during the second day of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in New York City on December 27, 2024. (Misha Friedman/Getty Images)
“Okay, they can enforce the rules,” he continued. “That's fine with me, that's fine with me, that's fine with me, then I'll leave now, dear.”
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That same day, Carlsen arrived two minutes late for his round. Controversies are not uncommon. But he explained that wearing jeans was simply an error in judgment. He explained that he had arrived from a lunch meeting and had enough time to quickly change in his room before heading to the tournament.
Carlsen said that when asked if he could continue the next day adhering to the dress code, FIDE refused and told him that he would not be paired unless he changed after his round.
“At that point, it became a bit of a matter of principle for me.”
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FIDE also tightened the rules, noting that another participant received a similar warning for wearing “sports shoes.” The person changed and was able to continue.
Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen plays chess during the 6th TATA Steel Chess India Tournament held at Dono Danyo Auditorium. (Dipayan Bose/SOPA Images/LightRocket, Getty Images)
“The dress code regulations have been drafted by members of the FIDE Athletes Committee, which is made up of professional athletes and experts. These regulations have been in place for many years and are well known to all participants. “FIDE has also ensured that athlete accommodation is within walking distance of the match venue, making compliance with the rules more convenient,” the statement read. are.
“FIDE remains committed to promoting chess and its values, including respect for the rules that all participants agree to abide by.”
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