Leader of the world rankings, Magnus Carlsen abandoned the World Rapid Chess Championship on Friday (27) after being penalized for wearing jeans during the competition in New York.
On the second day of the championship, which takes place from Thursday to Saturday, the Norwegian received a fine of US$200 (R$1,239) for having worn jeans during the competition, something prohibited by Fide (International Chess Federation) regulations.
“Afterwards, I was warned that I would not participate in the next round if I did not change my clothes after the third game” of the four scheduled for the day, Carlsen said on social media.
“I asked if I could exchange it the next day because I simply hadn’t realized (…), since then, it has become a matter of principle,” he said.
“Honestly, I’m too old to worry about these things”, continued the 34-year-old grandmaster, confirming his absence for Saturday and the World Blitz, organized between Monday and Tuesday in the same location.
“Nobody wants to go back… I’ll probably go somewhere where the weather is better than here,” Carlsen continued.
The Norwegian later published a photo on social media in his outfit of the day, a polo shirt, a jacket and controversial blue jeans.
“Fide’s rules, as well as the dress code, were designed to guarantee professionalism and equality among all participants,” the federation responded in a statement. “These rules have been established for years, are known by all participants and are communicated before each event.”
Magnus Carlsen is the current champion of both annual competitions organized by Fide. In total, he won the world rapid chess title five times and the blitz world title seven times.
He was also five times world champion in long matches, the most prestigious title, which he decided to abandon without defending it because he was “unmotivated” with the format. The title was won by Indian Gukesh Dommaraju, fifth in the world rankings and who is not present in the rapid championships.
In addition to Carlsen, Russian player Yan Nepomniashchi was also fined for his attire.
