December 28, 2024: Magnus Carlsen, the five-time World Chess Champion, found himself in an unexpected controversy during the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, where he was disqualified and fined for breaching FIDE’s dress code.
According to an official statement from FIDE, Carlsen wore jeans to the tournament, which is explicitly prohibited under the event’s longstanding dress code regulations. The Chief Arbiter informed him of the violation and requested that he change his attire, but Carlsen refused to comply. As a result, he was not paired for the ninth round of the competition.
FIDE also issued a fine of USD 200 to Carlsen for the breach. The organization emphasized that this decision was made impartially and in accordance with its rules, which apply equally to all players, regardless of their stature. FIDE further clarified that these dress code regulations are drafted by the FIDE Athletes Commission, which is composed of professional players and experts. These rules, which have been in place for years, were communicated to all participants in advance.
Interestingly, another prominent player, Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi, was also fined earlier for violating the dress code by wearing sports shoes. However, Nepomniachtchi complied with the request, changed into the approved attire, and continued playing in the tournament.
FIDE’s statement underlined that the dress code is intended to maintain professionalism and fairness in the competition. The organization also noted that players’ accommodations are within walking distance of the venue, making it easier for participants to adhere to the rules. FIDE’s commitment to promoting chess and ensuring respect for the rules was also reiterated.
Carlsen, who has been the reigning World No. 1 chess player since 2011, has had a storied career, including five World Classical Chess Championship titles, multiple World Rapid and Blitz Championships, and numerous other accolades. His disqualification from the tournament due to a dress code violation comes as a rare controversy in his otherwise illustrious career. Despite this, Carlsen remains one of the most dominant figures in modern chess.