Five-time world chess champion Magnus Carlsen has been disqualified from the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship for violating the event's strict dress code. The Norwegian was fined $200 for wearing jeans, which are expressly prohibited under tournament regulations, and later disqualified by head referee Alex Holowczak after refusing to change his outfit.
“I am quite tired of FIDE, so I don't want this anymore. I want nothing to do with them. I'm sorry to everyone at home, maybe it's a stupid principle, but I don't think it's fun,” Carlsen told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
As his frustration boiled over, Carlson didn't hold back. “They can enforce their rules. That's fine with me. My reaction was fine, so I'm out. Like, f**k you. I don't think I need to say anything more,” he said.
What caused the disqualification?
Carlson admitted to ignoring the dress code. “I had a good lunch before coming here and barely had time to change. “I put on a shirt and a jacket, but didn't even think about jeans,” he explained on YouTube. After receiving a warning and fine, he was told that he would not be involved in the next round if he did not change immediately. Carlson declined, citing a matter of policy.
“No, I did not appeal. Honestly, I'm too old to care too much,” he added. “If this is what they want, fine. Then I'm out.”
FIDE's dress code mandates formal attire such as suits, trousers or national traditional dress for men and similar standards for women. Violations face a €200 fine for players, escalating to disqualification for repeated non-compliance.
Carlson criticized the enforcement, citing past grievances with FIDE. “My patience with them wasn't that great to begin with,” he said, referring to what he considers the organization's heavy-handed approach to players.
Karlsson's choice not to play in the Blitz Championship further underscored his dissatisfaction. The chess legend acknowledged his struggles during the tournament but maintained his stance. “No one wants to back down, this is where we are,” he concluded.