World-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen left the World Rapid Play Championships on Friday after being penalized for wearing jeans during the competition in New York.
During the second day of the rapid world championship, which takes place from Thursday to Saturday in New York, the Norwegian was first fined for wearing jeans in competition, which is prohibited by the regulations of the International Chess Federation (Fide).
“Then I got a warning that I wouldn't be fitted for the next round if I didn't change my clothes after the third game” of four scheduled for Friday. “I asked if I could change that tomorrow (Saturday), because I just didn't realize (…) From that moment on it became a bit of a question of principle,” Carlsen explained on the Take Take Take channel, named after the chess platform he created.
“I'm too old now to worry,” continued the 34-year-old grandmaster, confirming that he would be absent for the final day on Saturday, as well as for the blitz world championship organized Monday and Tuesday at the same venue . “No one wants to go back… I'll probably go somewhere where the weather is a little nicer than here,” Carlsen continued.
He posted on his social networks a photo of his outfit of the day, a polo shirt with a jacket and blue jeans.
“The rules of Fide, like the dress code, are designed to guarantee professionalism and fairness among all participants,” responded the Federation in a press release. “These rules have been in place for years, are known to all participants and are communicated to them before each event,” the press release added.
Magnus Carlsen is the defending champion of these two annual competitions organized by the International Federation. In total, he won the rapid game world championship five times and the blitz world championship seven times.
He was also a five-time long game world champion, the most prestigious title, before giving up his crown without a fight, saying he was tired of the format. The title was won at the beginning of December by the Indian Gukesh Dommaraju, 5th player in the world ranking and absent in the United States.
Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi was also fined for his behavior. “As the head referee just told me, none other than Ahmed Adly (the president of the athletes' commission of the International Federation, Editor's note) thinks that a chess player should not dress in So the $200 fine will (hopefully) be donated to the Chess Fashion Research Foundation,” he wrote on his social media, along with a photo of himself wearing jeans.
