Magnus Carlsen, the world chess champion, resigned from the World Rapid Chess Championship on Friday after he disregarded the International Chess Federation’s regulations by refusing to take off his trousers.
Five-time world chess champion and seven-time global blitz chess champion Carlsen violated long-standing rules for the tournament, according to FIDE. The 34-year-old Carlsen was instructed to change his clothes, fined $200, and informed of the violation.
The organization stated in an X post that Mr. Carlsen was not matched for round nine because he regrettably declined, and that the dress requirement is intended to guarantee professionalism and equity for all competitors.
The organization added that all participants are aware of these long-standing regulations and are informed of them before to each event. To make following the regulations easier, FIDE has also made sure that the participants’ lodging is close to the playing field, only a short stroll away.
Before the tournament, Carlsen had a lunch meeting and hardly had time to get to the room [to] change, he told the chess YouTube channel Take Take Take.
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.
Carlsen left the World Blitz Championship as well.
In relation to the Freestyle Chess competition, he continued by accusing FIDE of pursuing players in an attempt to persuade them not to sign with Freestyle.
essentially warning them that if they participated in Freestyle, they would not be allowed to compete in the World Championship cycle. Therefore, to be honest, I wasn’t very patient with them in the first place, Carlsen stated.
Emil Sutovsky, the CEO of FIDE, reacted to Carlsen’s assertions by labeling them false.
Our sole demand was that no series or tour may be referred to as a World Championship without FIDE’s approval. In a post on X, Sutovsky stated that FIDE is the organization that oversees chess and that any World Championship should be organized or authorized by it. He also added that no player was in danger.
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