World chess champion Magnus Carlsen, the reigning titleholder, announced his return to the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships following a significant dispute on Friday over his choice of attire. The incident arose when Carlsen was informed that he could not play while wearing jeans, which led him to withdraw from the championship held in New York City. In a turn of events, Fide has decided to loosen its dress code, permitting "elegant minor deviations" from its established guidelines, making jeans acceptable attire in certain contexts.
Carlsen explained that he was wearing jeans due to a previous lunch meeting and did not think to change into alternative pants. Despite playing several rounds in a blazer and shirt paired with jeans, he was eventually told he was in violation of the dress code, which mandates only "dark colored trousers" for men during business casual events. The grandmaster offered to swap his jeans for appropriate trousers the following day, but was instructed to change immediately, leading to his immediate withdrawal from the tournament.
Following backlash and discussions, Fide president Arkadi Dvorkovich announced on Sunday the relaxed dress code, indicating that tournament staff would now help regulate what constitutes acceptable attire. He emphasized that while deviations from the dress code are now welcomed, they should not compromise the tournament's professional atmosphere, especially during upcoming festivities such as New Year’s Eve.
In a light-hearted post on social media, Carlsen confirmed his decision to compete in jeans, stating, "Oh, I am definitely playing in jeans tomorrow." His return adds another layer to his storied career, which has included not just championship titles but also notable controversies, including a recent legal dispute over cheating allegations against a young American competitor.
As the chess community looks forward to his continued participation in the event, the incident highlights the ongoing evolution of professional standards in the sport, particularly under the spotlight of high-profile players.
