Fit Checkmate.
Chess giant Magnus Carlsen withdrew from two tournaments in New York on Friday after being told by the game's governing body that he could not wear jeans to play.
International Chess Federation (FIDE) said Carlsen violated the dress code by wearing denim while competing in the World Rapid Championships.
However, the world's No. 1 chess player refused to make changes even after the chief arbitrator asked him to do so, resulting in a $200 fine.
The 34-year-old Carlsen then did not make the pair for the ninth round of the tournament, but might have come back According to Chess.com, will be participating in the next round
In addition to withdrawing from the World Rapid Chess Championship due to the fashion scandal, Carlsen also withdrew from the Blitz Chess Championship, which was scheduled to be held after this tournament.
According to Carlsen, he has won seven rapid tournaments and five blitz tournaments over the past 10 years. CBS.
Carlsen told chess media that the dispute with tournament officials was ultimately a “matter of principle.” take take.
Carlsen said he was attending a lunch meeting on the second day of the competition and had to quickly change clothes before participating in the next round.
“I put on a shirt and a jacket, but to be honest, I didn't even think about jeans and I didn't even change my shoes,” Carlsen told chess media.
“I never thought of that,” he added, “first I got fined, but that's fine. Then I got a warning that if I didn't change the clothes, they wouldn't be paired.” I was told that I would be able to go after the 3rd round today.
“I said, 'If you're OK with that, I'll change it tomorrow. I didn't even realize it today.' And they said, 'Well, you have to change it now.' At that point, it became a bit of a matter of principle for me.”
Carlsen said he does not intend to challenge the organization's decision.
“Honestly, I'm too old to care too much at this point,” he said.
“If this is what they want to do…and this is where we are, I'm fine with it. I'll probably go somewhere with a little more nicer weather than here.”
FIDE said the dress code was intended to “ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.”
It added that the decision to penalize Carlsen was made “fairly.”
Another World Rapid Championship competitor, Ian Nepomniatchi, was fined for violating the dress code by wearing athletic shoes, but continued to compete in the tournament by changing into approved clothing, FIDE noted.
