The world’s number one chess player Magnus Carlsen is set to return to the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York after initially withdrawing because he refused to change his jeans.
The 34-year-old withdrew from the World Rapid Championships on Friday after breaking the dress code and deciding not to change his attire.
However, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) announced on Sunday that Carlsen would return to the World Blitz Championship. The organisation’s president, Arkady Dvorkovich, confirmed that the formal dress code would remain in place but would be relaxed to accommodate “elegant and minor differences”.
A post on Carlsen’s X account reads: “Oh, I’m definitely going to wear jeans and play tomorrow.”
“I’m going to play at least one more day here in New York and hopefully the day after that,” the Norwegian told Take, Take, Take.
Why did Carlson withdraw?
FIDE deemed Carlsen to have violated the dress code of the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships by wearing jeans on Friday.
He was initially fined $200 and asked to make changes, which he refused and subsequently missed the ninth round of the World Rapid Championships.
Carlsen claimed he wore jeans for the meeting and “didn’t even think” about switching to different pants for the tournament. He said he offered to change it the next day, but it wasn’t accepted.
“I had a nice lunch meeting before I got here. I barely had time to go to my room and change, so I just put on my shirt and jacket, didn’t even think about jeans, and changed my shoes.” He said Take, Take, Take.
“I was warned that I wouldn’t be paired if I didn’t change my clothes. They said I could do it after the 3rd round today. I said I would change it tomorrow if it was okay. They said it was time to change it. At that point it became kind of a matter of principle for me.”
Carlson (Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images)
He then said he had no intention of returning to defend his title at the World Blitz Championship, which begins on Monday.
“I’ll probably go somewhere with better weather than here,” he added. “I don’t know what would have to change for that to happen, but no (I won’t play in Blitz).”
Carlsen continued: “They can enforce the rules. I’m fine. My answer is fine, I’m out, fuck it.”
OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 28, 2024
Carlson was the defending rapid champion but left the leaders behind when he pulled away.
Russian grandmaster Volodar Murzin, 18, ultimately won the tournament, becoming the second-youngest World Rapid Champion in history.
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Why does chess have a dress code?
FIDE states that the tournament regulations, including the dress code, are “designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.”
FIDA regulations for the 2024 Rapid and Blitz Championships state: “Players wearing t-shirts, jeans, shorts, sneakers, baseball caps or other inappropriate clothing will not be permitted to enter the stadium. Requests to wear national or traditional clothing must be approved by the FIDE Supervisor.”
Athletes may wear: “Dark pants, long sleeves, light colors (white, light blue, beige, brown, etc.), and a blue or black shirt (any color will work). Dark-colored buttoned jacket, waistcoat or cardigan: black, navy, grey, beige, brown (neutral). Jackets, waistcoats and cardigans may be removed during play. “A tie is not required.”
All participating players and FIDE employees, officials and representatives must adhere to the dress code policy.
A first violation of the rules will result in a fine, the sanctioned player will be allowed to play the current round, while a second violation will result in him not being included in the pairing for the next round.
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Has anyone violated the dress code?
Russian grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi was also fined Friday for violating the dress code by wearing sneakers. However, he changed into ‘approved clothing’ and entered the competition.
How was the Carlson situation resolved?
Carlsen said there had been “productive discussions” with FIDE President Dvorkovich on Sunday.
“I love blitz games,” he told Take, Take, Take. “I want to give the fans a chance to see this. Now that I’m here, the rules seem to have changed a bit. “In principle, I will definitely wear jeans to the game tomorrow.”
“I sincerely regret that the situation has escalated without a timely solution from both sides to prevent Magnus’ withdrawal,” Dvorkovic said in a statement.
He added that Carlsen’s concerns “highlight the need for further discussion on how to modernize our current approach to ensure that our rules and applications reflect the evolving nature of chess.”
Dvorkovich explained that a flexible approach to dress code will be in place at the World Blitz Championships.
“I decided to test an approach to give FIDE officials more flexibility when making judgments about the suitability of clothing,” he continued. “If there is any doubt, a special assistant will be called in to assist in that determination and reach a final conclusion.
“The principle is simple. You must still follow the official dress code, but elegant, minor changes (which may include jeans to match your jacket, among others) are acceptable. “With the New Year finally upon us, we sincerely hope that no one will attempt to spoil the festive spirit by abusing this flexibility.”
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(Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP via Getty Images)
