NEW YORK — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is set to compete in the World Blitz Championship following a recent controversy over the tournament’s dress code. The International Chess Federation has opted to relax the rules that previously resulted in a fine for Carlsen when he refused to change out of jeans during another tournament.
International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich acknowledged the situation in a statement, allowing for “appropriate jeans” paired with a jacket and other “elegant minor deviations” from the established attire. He emphasized that Carlsen’s actions brought light to the necessity for discussions regarding rules that align with the evolving nature of chess as a global sport.
Carlsen expressed his intent to wear jeans during the World Blitz Championship, scheduled to start on Monday. The 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster criticized the handling of the situation, stating, “I think the situation was badly mishandled.” Nonetheless, he affirmed his passion for blitz chess and the desire for fans to watch, noting positive discussions with the federation following the incident.
In a video update, Carlsen shared his perspective, suggesting a collective goal between players and officials to maintain a balance between comfort and presentation. The conflict escalated when Carlsen wore jeans and a sport coat during the Rapid World Championship, which coincided with the blitz event. The federation enforced longstanding rules against jeans, leading to a $200 fine and denial of a ninth-round pairing when Carlsen refused to change.
Despite his willingness to adapt his attire for the following day, Carlsen deemed the response of officials excessive and ultimately withdrew from both championships. He has since questioned the validity of the rule he allegedly breached and deemed the punishment “unbelievably harsh,” affirming his decision to stand by his choices leading up to the championship.
