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Magnus Carlsen disqualified from World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship for wearing jeans: Who said what?

Defending Champion Magnus Carlsen fined $200 and then disqualified. What happened?

One of the key members of the Freestyle Chess Players' Club, Magnus Carlsen was disqualified by FIDE for violating the dress code. (Credit: X/Magnus Carlsen)

Magnus Carlsen was disqualified by FIDE for violating the dress code. (Credit: X/Magnus Carlsen)

World No 1 Magnus Carlsen was first fined and then disqualified from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in New York for his refusal to comply with FIDE’s dress code after turning up in jeans.

Defending champion Carlsen was initially fined $200 for wearing jeans. When he refused the request to change his attire immediately by chief arbiter Alex Holowczak, he was disqualified and was not paired for Round 9 of the Rapid championship taking place at Wall Street. The Norwegian had agreed to follow the dress from the next day but wasn’t given the chance. “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 Norwegian broadcasting channel NRK. He also told Take Take Take: “They can enforce their rules. That’s fine by me. And my response is that fine, then I’m out. Like, f** you. I don’t think anything more has to be said.”

"FUCK YOU" @MagnusCarlsen is out. pic.twitter.com/3QWZtBHCPL

— Take Take Take (@TakeTakeTakeApp) December 27, 2024

Here are reactions from the chess community for the sensational turn of events:

First off, Carlsen himself posted a message on X with a caption ‘OOTD’ which stands for outfit of the day.

OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv

— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 28, 2024

American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, currently competing at the event, took this opportunity to post a poll: “In light of today’s events, should every chess player at the World Rapid tournament in New York City wear jeans tomorrow?” For the record, with nearly 8000 votes in, an overwhelming 90% said they were #TeamMagnus.

In light of today's events, should every chess player at the World Rapid tournament in New York City wear jeans tomorrow??

— Hikaru Nakamura (@GMHikaru) December 28, 2024

Grandmaster and former women’s world champion Susan Polgar took a cheeky jibe, posting a photo on a jetski: “My dress code is completely inappropriate and unacceptable for FIDE World Rapid/Blitz Championships! I accept full responsibility for my outfit and will not appeal the published rules!”

My dress code is completely inappropriate and unacceptable for FIDE World Rapid/Blitz Championships! I accept full responsibility for my outfit and will not appeal the published rules! 🏝⛰🏖#WorldRapidBlitz #WorldChessChampionship pic.twitter.com/sql98KnqRW

— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) December 28, 2024

Dutch GM Anish Giri, known for his wry sense of humour, simply posted: “What happened?”

Grandmaster Emil Sutovsky and FIDE CEO spoke to Take Take Take, explaining the decision: “We wanted to have some sort of peaceful resolution. Unfortunately, as Magnus admitted himself, it became a matter of principle for him. It’s not like he wasn’t given enough time. Unfortunately, he just decidede he wouldn’t do. Ya, it’s a pity. But the decision is fully correct.”

Watch more of his reaction here: