Magnus Carlsen’s Jeans Auctioned for $36,100 with Proceeds Going to Charity

The story of Magnus Carlsen’s controversial jeans that led to his withdrawal from a chess tournament has taken an unexpected turn. The jeans, which caused a stir at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in 2024, have been sold in an eBay auction for a whopping $36,100. The proceeds from the sale will go to charity, specifically the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA).

Carlsen, a five-time world champion, made headlines when he was fined $200 and asked to change his Coreliani jeans after officials deemed them in violation of the tournament’s dress code. When Carlsen refused to comply, he was not paired for the ninth round. The incident sparked a debate over the strict dress code in chess tournaments.

In a surprising move, Carlsen decided to auction off the infamous jeans, stating on social media, “The forbidden jeans – can now be yours. I am auctioning my jeans. A sentence I never thought I would write. But here we are.” The auction lasted 10 days before the jeans were sold to an undisclosed buyer.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) later announced that Carlsen would return for the World Blitz Championship, with a relaxed dress code to accommodate “elegant minor deviations.” The sale of the jeans will now benefit BBBSA, a charity that focuses on youth mentoring through activities like chess.

Carlsen, known as one of the greatest chess players in history, has used this incident to give back to the community and support a worthy cause. The auction of his jeans has not only raised a significant amount of money for charity but has also brought attention to the importance of mentorship and critical thinking skills in youth development.