On a day Indian players moved into the joint lead in the open and women’s sections, the big bang came from an unexpected quarter. Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the world rapid and blitz chess championship in New York after the organisers refused to allow him to play wearing a pair of jeans.
You read it right. This is not a writing error. FIDE — the world governing body of chess — has a dress code which doesn’t allow jeans for players of either sex in the competitions it conducts. Carlsen was fined $200 after the seventh round (second round of the second day) and asked to change. He refused and the organisers kept him out of the ninth round. He was not disqualified, and could have come back the next day by following the dress code.
However, in a sensational decision which becomes perhaps the biggest global chess news in 2024 alongside D Gukesh becoming the youngest-ever world champion in the classical format, the Norwegian pulled out of the rapid event as well as the blitz competition to be played after the rapid. He is the reigning world champion in both formats, in addition to being ranked No. 1 in each variant of the game. His reaction made it controversial.
“They (the organisers) told me that I have to change after the third round today,” Carlsen said on the Take Take Take YouTube channel. “I said, can I do it tomorrow? They said no, you have to change now. I guess it goes both ways. Nobody wants to back down. This is where we are, which is fine by me… My response is like fine.. f..k you.”
Carlsen has never been a conformist. He refuses to play the world championship in the classical format, champions the cause of something called ‘Freestyle Chess’ and, at times, arrives late for games. The last one occurred in New York on Day 1 of the ongoing competition. He wasn’t having a good outing at Wall Street, having logged just four points from eight rounds.
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FIDE statement regarding Magnus Carlsen’s dress code breach
FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.
Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code… pic.twitter.com/SLdxBpzroe
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 27, 2024
The FIDE, rule, however, is clear. According to section 3.b related to attire, “The following is NOT acceptable for men players, captains, heads of delegation. Beach-wear slips, profanity and nude or semi-nude pictures printed on shirts, torn pants or jeans. Holes, denim shorts, short-shorts, cut-off shorts, gym shorts, unclean clothing, sun glasses, sport caps.”
FIDE remained firm on its principles, however debatable they may be. “We are sorry to see him withdraw,” said FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky on ChessBase India’s YouTube channel. “These rules were not invented overnight. They have been in place for several years. They have been proposed and commissioned by the athletes’ commission, which includes players… Magnus knew all of that.”
Arjun, Harika and Humpy in joint lead
When it came to action on the board, Arjun Erigaisi had another good day in the open section and scored three out of four points to be among a pack of four players at the top with seven points each after nine rounds. The Indian is ranked third on tie-break score. He has to win this to stand a chance of qualifying for the Candidates through the FIDE Circuit.
Dronavalli Harika and Koneru Humpy had good days in the women’s section. After eight rounds, they have 6.5 points along with Ju Wenjun of China. On tie-break, Harika is second and Humpy third. The women’s section has 11 rounds. In the open section, there are 13. After the rapid section, the blitz competition will begin.
Also Read: Raunak fifth in open section and Harika fourth in women’s after Day 1 of world rapid chess