Magnus Carlsen was banned from the World Rapid and Blitz Championships for wearing jeans; “Stupid principle,” says Champion

Magnus Carlsen, multiple world champion and reigning Rapid and Blitz World Champion, has been disqualified by FIDE from the 2024 Rapid and Blitz World Championships being held in Wall Street, New York, for a dress code violation. FIDE said Carlsen violated the tournament’s formal dress code by wearing jeans that were “expressly prohibited.”

The Norwegian champion was initially fined $200 and then asked to immediately move to a formal tournament, which Carlsen refused. He said he agreed to take the dress from the next day, but wasn’t ready to do it right away. Carlsen was unmatched for the ninth round, and then FIDE chief referee Alex Holowzsak disqualified him, citing impartial rules that apply to all players, regardless of stature.

“The FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are intended to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.

“Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen violated the dress code by wearing jeans, which are specifically prohibited for this event under long-standing regulations. The head referee informed Mr. Carlsen of the violation, fined him $200, and ordered him to change his clothing.” Unfortunately, Mr. Carlsen refused and was therefore not nominated for the ninth round. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players,” FIDE said in a statement.

The statement also cited the example of Ian Nepomniachtchi, who was fined for a dress code violation for wearing athletic shoes instead of formal shoes, but was allowed to continue after changing into approved attire.

“Earlier in the day, another participant, Mr Ian Nepomniachtchi, was also fined for breaching the dress code by wearing trainers. However, Mr. Nepomniachtchi complied, changed into approved clothing and continued playing in the tournament.”

“The dress code is drawn up by members of the FIDE Athletes Commission, which is made up of professional players and experts. These rules have been in place for years and are known to all participants and communicated to them before each event.” FIDE has also ensured that players’ accommodation is within a short walk of the venue, making compliance with the rules easier.

“FIDE remains committed to promoting chess and its values, including respect for the rules that all participants undertake to abide by,” it continued.

No appeal, Carlsen calls FIDE stupid

Carlsen declared open war with FIDE, calling the regulations “stupid.”

“I’m pretty sick of FIDE, so I don’t want any more of it. I don’t want anything to do with them. I’m sorry to everyone at home, maybe it’s a stupid principle, but I don’t think it’s fun,” Carlsen told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

Later, while speaking to a YouTube channel called Take Take Take, Carlsen shed light on the turn of events.

“Yesterday was a difficult day. You know, I lost a game, could have lost a few more. In general I didn’t play well, a bit out of control,” he said.

“I slept really well and had a nice lunch before coming here. I barely had time to go into the room and change, so I put on a shirt and jacket. And to be honest, I didn’t even think about the jeans.

“I even changed my shoes, but I didn’t even think about it. And so I came here, and I don’t know if it was after the first game or the second game. I think it was after… Yeah, I don’t remember.

“But I got a warning that I had to change my… Well, first of all, I got fined. And then I got a warning that if I didn’t change my jeans immediately, I wouldn’t be paired. They said I could do it today after the third round.

“I said I’ll change tomorrow if that’s okay. I didn’t even notice it today. But they said, well, you have to change now.

“And well, from that point on it became something of a matter of principle for me.”

When asked if he had lodged an appeal, the former world champion said: “No, I have not lodged an appeal. Honestly, I’m too old to care too much at this point.”

“If that’s what they want to do, I guess it goes both ways, right? Nobody wants to give in, and here we are. For me it’s fine. I’ll probably go somewhere where the weather is a little nicer than here.”