In a surprising turn of events, world chess champion Magnus Carlsen has opted to leave the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York after a disagreement over his choice of pants. Carlsen, who was defending his titles at the tournament, was informed by officials that his casual jeans did not comply with the dress code requirements set forth by the federation.
Magnus Carlsen Exits World Chess Championships Over Dress Code Dispute
Magnus Carlsen Exits World Chess Championships Over Dress Code Dispute
Magnus Carlsen, the reigning chess champion, withdraws from the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York due to a dress code violation involving his jeans.
The incident unfolded when Carlsen attended the tournament in a blazer, dress shoes, and dark jeans. Although he initially intended to change his attire the following day, he was fined $200 when officials demanded an immediate change. The chess federation, FIDE, defended its strict dress code, citing the need to uphold professionalism and fairness among participants.
Despite being one of the most celebrated figures in chess, Carlsen did not contest the decision, commenting that he had reached a stage in his life where he didn't want to fight over clothing choices. Acknowledging the situation's principles, Carlsen remarked that the dress code issue transformed into a matter of personal conviction for him.
In a light-hearted response, the grandmaster later shared a photo of himself in the jeans on social media, humorously referring to it as his "Outfit of the Day" (OOTD). Carlsen's withdrawal marks a notable moment in his career, which has been fraught with controversy, including past allegations of cheating against a rival player.
FIDE reiterated that its regulations apply uniformly to all players, mentioning that another participant faced a similar penalty on the same day for wearing inappropriate footwear. The 34-year-old Norwegian remains a celebrated figure in the chess community, having earned the title of World Chess Champion five times and maintaining his status as the top-ranking player in the sport since becoming a grandmaster at the age of 13.
Despite being one of the most celebrated figures in chess, Carlsen did not contest the decision, commenting that he had reached a stage in his life where he didn't want to fight over clothing choices. Acknowledging the situation's principles, Carlsen remarked that the dress code issue transformed into a matter of personal conviction for him.
In a light-hearted response, the grandmaster later shared a photo of himself in the jeans on social media, humorously referring to it as his "Outfit of the Day" (OOTD). Carlsen's withdrawal marks a notable moment in his career, which has been fraught with controversy, including past allegations of cheating against a rival player.
FIDE reiterated that its regulations apply uniformly to all players, mentioning that another participant faced a similar penalty on the same day for wearing inappropriate footwear. The 34-year-old Norwegian remains a celebrated figure in the chess community, having earned the title of World Chess Champion five times and maintaining his status as the top-ranking player in the sport since becoming a grandmaster at the age of 13.
