Five-time world chess champion Magnus Carlsen found himself at the center of controversy during the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship after being disqualified for violating FIDE’s dress code. The Norwegian grandmaster, known for his brilliance on the chessboard, faced a $200 fine for wearing jeans—explicitly prohibited by tournament rules—and refused to change his attire immediately, leading to his disqualification from Round 9 of the Rapid Championship.
FIDE, the global governing body for chess, emphasized that the dress code is a long-standing regulation communicated to all participants to maintain professionalism. Despite Carlsen’s willingness to adhere to the code from the following day, chief arbiter Alex Holowczak enforced the rules, resulting in Carlsen being excluded from further participation.
This incident wasn’t isolated, as Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi also breached the dress code but complied promptly, allowing him to continue competing. Carlsen, however, stood firm, expressing frustration with FIDE’s rigid policies and announcing his withdrawal from the Blitz section of the championship.
“I am pretty tired of FIDE, so I want no more of this,” Carlsen told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. He described the situation as “no fun” and criticized FIDE for its lack of flexibility.
FIDE defended its actions, stating that the dress code, designed by its Athletes Commission, ensures professionalism and is well-known to all players. Carlsen’s defiance, however, has sparked debate about the balance between enforcing regulations and accommodating player concerns.
With Carlsen’s withdrawal, the tournament moves on, but the controversy highlights tensions between tradition and individuality in the world of chess.
