Magnus Carlsen, the renowned chess grandmaster, has confirmed that he will return to the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York after initially withdrawing due to a dispute over the event’s dress code. Carlsen, who held the title of world champion from 2013 to 2023, had been barred from participating in a round of the tournament on Friday because he was wearing jeans, which violated the tournament’s dress code.
The controversy began when Carlsen was informed that his attire did not meet the standards set by FIDE, the governing body of chess. In response, Carlsen decided to leave the event, expressing frustration over the situation. However, after further discussions, he decided to return to the competition. In an interview with the YouTube channel of the Take Take Take app, Carlsen confirmed his decision to continue participating in the tournament, saying, “To make a long story short: I’ll be playing at least one more day here in New York. If I do well, another day after that.”
Carlsen revealed that he had a conversation with FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich following the incident. According to Carlsen, the talks were constructive, and both parties felt that they could have fruitful discussions moving forward. Ultimately, Carlsen decided to continue playing, citing his love for blitz chess and his desire to give fans the opportunity to watch him compete. He also acknowledged that this might be his last time participating in the event, which added a sense of finality to his decision.
FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich expressed regret over how the situation had unfolded. He acknowledged that the strict enforcement of the dress code, while legally sound and consistent with regulations, had led to feelings of disproportionate response. Dvorkovich expressed his disappointment that the situation had escalated and emphasized the importance of Carlsen’s role in elevating the sport of chess. In a post on FIDE’s X account, he stated, “It is unfortunate that the implementation of dress-code rules, while being legally sound and consistent, has left some feeling this is disproportionate and caused the situation everyone would have preferred to avoid.”
In an effort to resolve the issue, Dvorkovich announced that a more flexible approach to attire would be trialed during the World Blitz Championships. This new approach would allow for minor deviations from the official dress code, offering players more leeway in their clothing choices. This move was seen as a step toward preventing similar controversies in the future.
Despite the ongoing dress code debate, Carlsen remained firm in his stance on the matter. He made it clear that he would not compromise on his personal style. “As a principle, I will definitely play in jeans tomorrow,” he said, signaling that he would continue to dress as he saw fit during the competition.
Carlsen’s return to the tournament comes after a brief but intense public dispute, and it reflects both his commitment to the game and his desire to entertain his fans. The situation also highlights the ongoing tension between personal expression and the often rigid rules that govern professional competitions. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen how the dress code issue will evolve and whether other players will follow Carlsen’s lead in challenging the regulations. However, for now, Carlsen’s decision to return to the World Blitz Championship ensures that fans will have the chance to watch one of the greatest chess players of all time in action once again.
