Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen has withdrawn from the world championships after being sanctioned for wearing jeans during the competition in New York. During the second day of the rapid world championship, which took 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 matched for the next round if I didn't change my clothes after the third game” of the four scheduled for Friday. “I asked if I could change that tomorrow (Saturday), because I just hadn't realized (…) 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 his absence for the final day on Saturday, as well as for the blitz world championship organized Monday and Tuesday at the same place. “No one wants to go back… I will probably go to a place where the weather is a little nicer than here”continued Magnus Carlsen, who posted on his social networks a photo of his outfit of the day, a polo shirt with a jacket and blue jeans.
“Fide rules, 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”adds the press release.
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, fifth player in the world ranking and absent in the United States.
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Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi was also fined for his behavior. “As the head referee just told me, none other than Ahmed Adly [le président de la commission des athlètes de la Fédération internationale] I don't think a chess player should dress like that. The $200 fine will therefore (hopefully) be donated to the Chess Fashion Research Foundation.he wrote on his social networks, with a photo of him wearing jeans.
