At the World Blitz Championship in New York City on Monday, the International Chess Federation gave in to pressure from the media and permitted world champion Magnus Carlsen to wear jeans.
“I sincerely regret that this situation escalated without a resolution being found by both sides in time to prevent Magnus’ withdrawal,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, head of the chess federation, which goes by the French acronym FIDE, in a statement issued on Sunday.
“The concerns raised by Magnus Carlsen highlight the need for further discussion about how to modernize the current approach, to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.”
Dvorkovich stated that although FIDE still has a dress code, it now permits “elegant minor deviations” like “appropriate jeans matching the jacket.”
“Oh, I am definitely playing in jeans tomorrow,” Carlsen replied on X following the release of the FIDE statement.
FIDE was forced to play defensive. At the World Rapid Chess Championship, which was also held in New York City, Carlsen, a five-time world chess champion and seven-time world blitz chess champion, disobeyed the dress code on Friday by wearing jeans.
The Norwegian grandmaster of chess chose to withdraw from the World Blitz Championship and refuse to play rather than change out of the jeans he had been wearing and pay a $200 fine.
The organization stated in an X post that Mr. Carlsen was not matched for round nine because he regrettably rejected, and that the dress rule is intended to maintain professionalism and equity for all competitors.
Carlsen told Take Take Takeon Sunday that he had a lunch meeting prior to the event and hardly had time to change in the hotel.
I put on a jacket and shirt, but to be honest, I didn’t even consider wearing pants. He claimed that I didn’t even consider changing my shoes. I arrived here, but I’m not sure if it was following the first or second game. After receiving a fine, I was warned that if I didn’t go change my clothes, I wouldn’t be partnered.
After the third round, Carlsen claimed he was told he could change.
I said, “If it’s okay with you, I’ll change tomorrow.” It didn’t even occur to me today. However, they stated that you must change right now. For me, it became somewhat of a principle issue at that time. So here we are.
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