Magnus Carlsen Quits World Chess Championships After $200 Fine for Wearing Jeans

Dec 28, 2024, 11:24 AM

Chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has withdrawn from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York after being disqualified for violating the event's dress code by wearing jeans. The five-time world champion, who had scored 5 out of 8 points, was fined $200 for the violation but continued to wear jeans. As a result, Chief Arbiter Alex Holowczak informed him that he would not be paired for Round 9 unless he changed attire. Carlsen refused to appeal the decision and chose to withdraw from both the Rapid and Blitz Championships. Expressing frustration, Carlsen reportedly said, "Fine. I'm out, fuck you," and added, "I didn't realize. It's a stupid principle." He announced that he is leaving New York and will not participate in the rest of the event. The tournament is being held on Wall Street, New York. FIDE, the International Chess Federation, released a statement asserting that the dress code regulations are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness. "Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code and was penalized accordingly," the statement read. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and CEO Emil Sutovsky defended the organization's actions. Sutovsky stated that Carlsen was given enough time to change his attire but refused. Viswanathan Anand, a five-time world champion, remarked that Carlsen refused to follow the rules, leaving the organizers with no choice.