Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen will not defend his title at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship because of a pair of jeans.
Carlsen, the current world No. 1, withdrew from the tournament in New York on Friday after receiving a $200 fine and a FIDE warning due to a dress code violation. The five-time world champion was told he would not be able to continue until he removed his jeans, a change the defiant Carlsen was unwilling to make.
Five-time world rapid chess champion Norwegian GM Magnus Carlsen playing chess with Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi at the 6th TATA Steel Chess India tournament at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium on November 17, 2024 in Kolkata, India . (Samir Jana/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
“FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants,” the organization said in a statement on Friday.
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“Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen violated the dress code by wearing jeans, which are explicitly prohibited under the long-standing regulations for this event. The head referee informed Mr. Carlsen of the violation, fined him $200 and asked him to change his Unfortunately, Mr. Carlsen refused and, as a result, was not matched for the ninth round. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players.”
Carlsen could have accepted a round loss and continued in the tournament on Saturday, but he told Take Take Take in an interview after the incident that he was not interested in continuing.
“Honestly, I’m too old right now to care too much. If this is what they want to do, I guess it goes both ways, right? Nobody wants to back down, and this is where we are. Okay.” I’m probably going to somewhere where the weather is a little better than here.”
Magnus Carlsen on Day 2 of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship on December 27, 2024 in New York City. (Misha Friedman/Getty Images)
“It’s okay, you can enforce your rules,” he continued. “It’s fine with me, and my answer is that it’s fine, then I’m leaving, screw you.”
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Carlsen, who arrived two minutes late for one of his rounds that same day, is is no stranger to controversy. But he explained that wearing the jeans had simply been an error in judgment. He explained that he had arrived from a lunch meeting and had had enough time to quickly change in his room before heading to the tournament.
When asked if he could continue and comply with the dress code the next day, Carlsen said FIDE refused and told him they would not match him if he did not change after his round.
“At that moment, for me it became a matter of principle.”
FIDE has also doubled down on its rules, noting that another participant had received a similar warning for wearing “sports shoes.” That person changed and was able to move on.
Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen plays chess during the 6th TATA Steel Chess India Tournament at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium. (Dipayan Bose/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“The dress code rules are drawn up by members of the FIDE Athletes’ Commission, which is made up of professional and expert players. These rules have existed for years and are well known to all participants and are communicated to them before each event. FIDE has also ensured that player accommodation is within walking distance of the playing venue, making compliance with the rules more convenient,” the statement reads.
“FIDE remains committed to the promotion of chess and its values, including respect for the rules that all participants agree to follow.”
