World Chess Number One Magnus Carlsen Quits Tournament Over Jeans Ban

World chess number one Magnus Carlsen made headlines when he decided to quit a major tournament after being told he couldn’t wear jeans. The incident occurred during the Fide World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York, where officials informed Carlsen that he had violated the dress code regulations by wearing jeans and asked him to change. The reigning champion, who has held the title from 2013 to 2023, refused to comply and was subsequently issued a $200 fine by Fide.

Carlsen explained that he had a lunch meeting before the round and had to change quickly, putting on a shirt, jacket, and changing his shoes without realizing he was still wearing jeans. Despite the fine and a warning that he would not be paired if he didn’t change his clothes, Carlsen stood his ground, stating that it became a matter of principle for him.

The world number one expressed that he would not appeal the decision, stating that he is too old to care too much about such matters. In a light-hearted post on social media, Carlsen shared a photo of his jeans and jacket combination with the caption “OOTD” (outfit of the day).

Fide defended its decision, stating that its rules were applied impartially and citing a previous case where a player was fined for not changing his shoes. This incident is not the first time Carlsen has been involved in controversy, as he previously accused rival Hans Niemann of cheating in a tournament in 2022. The two players settled a $100 million lawsuit in August last year after Niemann denied the allegations and offered to prove his innocence by stripping naked.

Despite the drama, Carlsen remains a dominant force in the world of chess, and his decision to stand up for his choice of attire has sparked debate within the chess community.