Carlsen disqualified from World Rapid & Blitz C'ship for wearing jeans

In a bizarre incident, five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen was disqualified from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship after refusing to wear pants and violating the FIDE's dress code. 

He was first fined $ 200 for wearing jeans, and when he refused the request to change his attire by chief arbiter Alex Holowczak, he was disqualified and not paired for the ninth round.

Wearing jeans is 'explicitly prohibited' in the tournament regulations and can attract fines and sanctions.

One of the game's greatest players, the Norwegian ace had agreed to follow the dress from the next day but was not ready to do it immediately, resulting in his disqualification.

In a statement, the game's global governing body FIDE emphasised that the dress code rules are well-communicated to all participants and designed to ensure professionalism.

"The dress code regulations are drafted by members of the FIDE Athletes Commission, which is composed of professional players and experts. These rules have been in place for years and are well-known to all participants and are communicated to them ahead of each event," FIDE said in the statement which was posted on 'X'.

"FIDE has also ensured that the players' accommodation is within a short walking distance from the playing venue, making adherence to the rules more convenient."

It added, "Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code by wearing jeans, which are explicitly prohibited under long-standing regulations for this event. The Chief Arbiter informed Mr. Carlsen of the breach, issued a USD 200 fine, and requested that he change his attire.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Carlsen declined, and as a result, he was not paired for round nine. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players."

Earlier, Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi was also penalized for a similar violation but he complied by changing his attire, allowing him to continue in the event.

Carlsen hits back at FIDE

Upset with the turn of the events, Carlsen said he won't participate in the Blitz section of the championship as he is tired of FIDE's dress code policies.

"I am pretty tired of FIDE, so I want no more of this. I don't want anything to do with them. I am sorry to everyone at home, maybe it's a stupid principle, but I don't think it's any fun," Carlsen told the Norwegian broadcasting channel NRK.

"I said I don't want to bother changing now, but I can change until tomorrow, that's fine. But they didn't want to compromise. I've reached a point where I am pretty upset with FIDE, so I didn't want to either. Then that's how it goes," he added.