- Chess champion Magnus Carlsen disqualified from the 2024 World Speed and Blitz Championship due to jeans
- FIDE imposes a strict dress code with a US$200 fine and tournament ban.
- Responding to the ban, the five-time world champion stated: “I’m out, f*** you.
In the world of competitive sports, disqualification usually comes with doping violations or aggressive behavior. But perhaps for the first time, five-time world champion Sven-Magnus Owen Carlsen has been banned from taking part in the world championships. 2024 World Speed and Blitz Championships In New York due to an unexpected violation of the dress code – wearing jeans.
The incident occurred during a match on Saturday in which the World Chess Federation (FIDE) fined Carlsen US$200 for violating the official dress code by appearing in denim clothing. When the Norwegian champion refused to change and abide by the rules, officials took the unprecedented step of excluding him from the tournament. The FIDE explained that Carlsen’s choice of clothing violated its regulations, which are designed to maintain professionalism
Carlsen’s reaction to the exclusion was characteristically clear. the Proclaimed champion,
“They can impose their rules. That’s fine with me. And I was like, okay, and then I’ll walk out. Like, fuck you.”
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Who is Magnus Carlsen?
Magnus Carlsen Not just any chess player. He is a chess grandmaster and considered by many to be the best player in history. Carlsen, a five-time world chess champion, still dominates both the rapid and blitz formats. He currently holds the record for the highest Elo rating ever of 2882, which was reached in 2014, and has been the highest-rated player in the world since 2011.
After becoming a grandmaster at the age of 13 and qualifying for the Candidates Tournament at the age of 15, Carlsen’s chess journey began early. His career was filled with impressive victories, such as his maiden World Championship win against Viswanathan Anand in 2013, followed by successful defenses against Anand, Sergey Karjakin, Fabiano Caruana, and Ian Nepomniatchi in subsequent years.
What is the FIDE dress code?
FIDE dress code Sets strict rules for tournament players. For men, clothing must include a suit, pants, dress shirt, polo shirt, dress shoes, jacket, blazer, blazer, or national dress approved by the organization. For women, this includes a suit, dress, skirt, blouse, dress pants, and appropriate shoes and accessories.
The federation has created a tiered system of fines that differs between open and women’s events. In the Open division, players will need to pay a fine of US$200, while in women’s events the fine will be US$100. A second violation results in exclusion from the pairing for the next round.
In defense of their position, FIDE issued a statement Stressing that “the regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.” The federation added that it “remains committed to promoting the game of chess and its values, including respecting the rules that all participants agree to follow.”
The incident divided the chess community and divided opinions on social media. While some applaud the FIDE’s determination to maintain professional standards, others have described the decision as unacceptably strict. As one user exclaimed on X: “This is the beginning of the end for FIDE. You all had a good run though.