Why???
www.abc.net.au
Magnus Carlsen posted the above photo to X after withdrawing from the tournament, with the caption "OOTD" ("outfit of the day"). (Supplied: Magnus Carlsen/X)
The world's top-ranked player said the dispute became a "matter of principle" and he withdrew after it became obvious neither side was going to back down.
Link copied
Chess great Magnus Carlsen has quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York after governing body FIDE barred him from participating in a round at the tournament for wearing jeans.
In a statement, FIDE said its dress code regulations were designed to "ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants".
"These rules have been in place for years and are well-known to all participants and are communicated to them ahead of each event," the body said.
FIDE added that it had issued the Norwegian a $US200 ($322) fine and given him an opportunity to change into the correct attire, which the world number one rejected.
Carlsen, who was world champion between 2013 and 2023 and is still the sport's top-ranked player, said he had a lunch meeting before the round and had to change quickly.
"I put on a shirt, jacket and honestly, like, I didn't even think about jeans, even changed my shoes," Carlsen told an interviewer for chess app Take Take Take.
"I didn't even think about it … First of all, I got a fine, which is fine, and then I got a warning that I would not be paired if I didn't go change my clothes. They said that I could do it after the third round today.
"I said, 'I'll change tomorrow if that's OK, I didn't even realise it today,' but they said, 'Well you have to change now.' At that point, it became a bit of a matter of principle for me."
Magnus Carlsen has been number one in the world chess rankings since 2011. (AP Photo: Frank Augstein)
The 34-year-old added that he would not appeal the decision.
"Honestly, I am too old at this point to care too much," he said.
"If this is what they want to do … I guess it goes both ways, right — nobody wants to back down — and this is where we are. It's fine by me.
"I'll probably head off to somewhere where the weather is a bit nicer than here."
Reuters
Magnus Carlsen quits chess tournament after being told to change out of jeans
After being told he had to change immediately or he would forfeit a round, the world's top-ranked player chose to quit the tournament instead, saying it had become a "matter of principle" to him.
www.abc.net.au
Magnus Carlsen quits chess tournament after being told to change out of jeans
18h ago18 hours agoMagnus Carlsen posted the above photo to X after withdrawing from the tournament, with the caption "OOTD" ("outfit of the day"). (Supplied: Magnus Carlsen/X)
In short:
Magnus Carlsen has withdrawn from a tournament in New York after being told he would have to change out of his jeans in order to play the next round.The world's top-ranked player said the dispute became a "matter of principle" and he withdrew after it became obvious neither side was going to back down.
What's next?
Carlsen says he won't appeal the tournament's decision, but will instead "probably head off to somewhere where the weather is a bit nicer than here".Link copied
Chess great Magnus Carlsen has quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York after governing body FIDE barred him from participating in a round at the tournament for wearing jeans.
In a statement, FIDE said its dress code regulations were designed to "ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants".
"These rules have been in place for years and are well-known to all participants and are communicated to them ahead of each event," the body said.
FIDE added that it had issued the Norwegian a $US200 ($322) fine and given him an opportunity to change into the correct attire, which the world number one rejected.
Carlsen, who was world champion between 2013 and 2023 and is still the sport's top-ranked player, said he had a lunch meeting before the round and had to change quickly.
"I put on a shirt, jacket and honestly, like, I didn't even think about jeans, even changed my shoes," Carlsen told an interviewer for chess app Take Take Take.
"I didn't even think about it … First of all, I got a fine, which is fine, and then I got a warning that I would not be paired if I didn't go change my clothes. They said that I could do it after the third round today.
"I said, 'I'll change tomorrow if that's OK, I didn't even realise it today,' but they said, 'Well you have to change now.' At that point, it became a bit of a matter of principle for me."
Magnus Carlsen has been number one in the world chess rankings since 2011. (AP Photo: Frank Augstein)
The 34-year-old added that he would not appeal the decision.
"Honestly, I am too old at this point to care too much," he said.
"If this is what they want to do … I guess it goes both ways, right — nobody wants to back down — and this is where we are. It's fine by me.
"I'll probably head off to somewhere where the weather is a bit nicer than here."
Reuters
