World chess champion Magnus Carlsen has withdrawn from a prestigious tournament after officials prohibited him from competing in jeans. Carlsen, currently defending his titles at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York, faced this unexpected dress code enforcement during the event.
The grandmaster proposed changing his trousers for the following day but was fined and instructed to change his attire immediately. The chess federation (FIDE) stated that its dress code regulations aim to “ensure fairness and professionalism for all participants.”
Carlsen, a prominent figure in the chess community, has been a subject of controversy in recent years. His decision to exit the championships was prompted by the dress code altercation, despite being the reigning Blitz and Rapid Chess champion. He expressed that he would not be appealing the decision, remarking, “Honestly, I am too old at this point to care too much.”
The chess icon explained that he was wearing jeans following a lunch meeting and hadn’t considered changing before attending the tournament. After arriving in a shirt, blazer, dark jeans, and dress shoes, he played several rounds before being addressed about his attire. When his request to change for the next day was declined, it became a matter of “principle” for him.
FIDE confirmed that Carlsen was fined $200 (£159) and emphasized that its rules are enforced “impartially,” highlighting that another player was similarly fined on the same day for changing shoes.
Carlsen, a five-time World Chess Champion, maintains his status as the top-ranked player in the sport. Since becoming a grandmaster at the age of 13, he has been viewed as a maverick in the chess realm. Last year, he was embroiled in a high-profile dispute with opponent Hans Niemann, leading to his withdrawal from a tournament after Niemann’s victory and subsequent cheating allegations. The pair previously settled a $100 million (£79 million) lawsuit in August 2022.
