BBC report has it that Magnus Carlsen decided to rejoin the chess championship he quitted because the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has shifted grounds on its dress code.
The world’s top-ranked chess player, Magnus Carlse had previously withdrawn from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York due to a dress code conflict. The resolution of this issue paves the way for Carlsen to continue defending his title in the prestigious event.
The controversy erupted on Friday when Carlsen, dressed in jeans, was informed that he could not continue participating in the tournament. The existing FIDE dress code mandates "dark colored trousers" for men, explicitly excluding jeans if a business casual dress code is in effect. Carlsen, who had been wearing a shirt, blazer, and jeans, was fined $200 (£159) for the dress code violation.
Carlsen explained that he had worn the jeans to a lunch meeting and had not considered changing them before heading to the tournament. Despite offering to comply with the dress code from the next day onward, he was told to change immediately, a demand he refused. Frustrated by the rigid enforcement, Carlsen decided to withdraw from the competition and expressed his intent to leave the city.
In response to the high-profile dispute, FIDE President Arkadi Dvorkovich announced on Sunday that the dress code would be amended to permit "elegant minor deviations," which include wearing appropriate jeans that match a blazer. This decision came after considerable backlash and the potential impact on the tournament's prestige and participation.
Dvorkovich emphasized that while adherence to the official dress code remains necessary, the allowance for minor deviations aims to balance professionalism with practicality. He also mentioned that tournament staff would be tasked with ensuring outfits conform to the updated code, stressing that the flexibility should not be abused, especially with the tournament’s festive New Year’s Eve setting.
Following FIDE's announcement, Carlsen confirmed via social media that he would resume competing in the championship on Monday, unapologetically stating, "Oh, I am definitely playing in jeans tomorrow." His return is highly anticipated, as he continues to be a dominant figure in the chess world.
Carlsen's decision to initially withdraw and the subsequent resolution highlight his influence in the sport and the ongoing conversation about dress codes in professional chess. His actions have sparked debates about the balance between tradition and modernity in chess, reflecting broader trends in sports and professional environments.
Magnus Carlsen, a five-time chess world champion, has had a storied career marked by his exceptional talent and occasional controversies. Carlsen became a grandmaster at the age of 13, rapidly ascending to the pinnacle of chess. Despite his success, he has often been seen as a maverick within the chess community, known for his unconventional approaches both on and off the board.
In 2023, Carlsen was involved in a significant legal dispute after accusing American chess player Hans Niemann of cheating during a 2022 match. Carlsen’s accusation, following an unexpected defeat, led to Niemann filing a $100 million (£79 million) defamation lawsuit against Carlsen, Chess.com, and another US grandmaster. The dispute was settled out of court in August, with Carlsen ultimately accepting that Niemann had not cheated.
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