‘Magnus Carlsen Breached The Dress Code By Wearing Jeans’: FIDE Explains Why The Norwegian Was Disqualified – News18

Last Updated:December 28, 2024, 13:33 IST

FIDE said Ian Nepomniachtchi was also punished for wearing sports shoes earlier in the day.

Magnus Carlsen refused to change his attire. (Pic Credit: X/FIDE_chess)

Magnus Carlsen was disqualified for wearing jeans during the ongoing World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2024 taking place in New York. Carlsen was initially fined $200 for violating the dress code and asked to change his attire by chief arbiter Alex Holowczak. The world no. 1 refused to change but said he will follow the dress code from the next day onwards following which he was disqualified from the tournament.

“FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants,” FIDE said in a statement.

“Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code by wearing jeans, which are explicitly prohibited under long-standing regulations for this event. The Chief Arbiter informed Mr. Carlsen of the breach, issued a $200 fine, and requested that he change his attire. Unfortunately, Mr. Carlsen declined, and as a result, he was not paired for round nine. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players,” it added.

FIDE said Ian Nepomniachtchi was also punished for wearing sports shoes earlier in the day. Nepomniachtchi was fined and he complied by changing his shoes following which the Russian was allowed to continue to take part in the competition.

“Earlier in the day, another participant, Mr. Ian Nepomniachtchi, was also fined for breaching the dress code by wearing sports shoes. However, Mr. Nepomniachtchi complied, changed into approved attire, and continued to play in the tournament,” FIDE said.

“The dress code regulations are drafted by members of the FIDE Athletes Commission, which is composed of professional players and experts. These rules have been in place for years and are well-known to all participants and are communicated to them ahead of each event. FIDE has also ensured that the players’ accommodation is within a short walking distance from the playing venue, making adherence to the rules more convenient. FIDE remains committed to promoting chess and its values, including respect for the rules that all participants agree to follow,” it added.

Carlsen blasted FIDE and said he was already losing patience with FIDE.

“First I got a fine and then got a warning that I would not be paired if I didn’t go change my jeans immediately. They said that I could do it after the third round today. I said, I’ll change tomorrow if that’s okay. I didn’t even realise it today. But they said you have to change now. At that point it became a bit of a matter of principle for me,” Carlsen said on YouTube channel Take, Take, Take.

“…FIDE actively wanted to, they were actually going after players as well to get them not to sign with Freestyle, basically threatening them that they wouldn’t be able to play the World Championship cycle, if they played in Freestyle. So honestly, my patience with them was not very big to begin with. And it’s okay. They can enforce their rules. That’s fine by me. And my response is that fine, then I’m out. Like, f** you. I don’t think anything more has to be said,” he added.