Ace Chess player Magnus Carlsen was disqualified from the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship 2024 for violating the governing council’s code of conduct. Carlsen was fined USD 200 for wearing jeans in the Chess Championship match and was disqualified by the chief arbitrary officer Alex Holowzsak. Indian chess legend and FIDE deputy president Viswanathan Anand has come up with his response to the incident and stated that the Norweigan chess player left the federation with no option but to disqualify him from the championship. Anand added that Carlsen refused to follow the rules and the decision was emotional with Carlsen not willing to compromise.

Viswanathan Anand Reacts To Magnus Carlsen Controversy

Speaking to Chess Base India Viswanathan Anand said, “He simply refused to follow rules, left us with little choice. Today this decision seemed emotional. Magnus was not willing to compromise. Obviously it was not a step we wanted to take. We offered several options (to Magnus). The arbiter said that as long as Magnus changed his jeans before the ninth round it would be fine. But Magnus said that he was not going to do it on principle. He’s himself stated that it’s a matter of principle for him. The arbiter simply applied the rules and we supported that.”

As per the FIDE Dress Code, male players must wear Suits, trousers, long-sleeve or short-sleeve shirts, polo-shirts, shoes, loafers, jackets, vests, sweaters, or national traditional dress. The major behind the dress code is to “create a positive and inspiring image for chess… it will showcase a level of professionalism that reflects the prestige and elegance of this global chess event.”

Magnus Carlsen wore jeans during the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship. The latter refused to change the attire and stated that he will change on the following day. However, this didn’t go well with the officials, after which Carlsen was disqualified from the event.