That’s what having power is. Having left with a bang on Friday from the world chess championships currently taking place in New York because he had been sanctioned for incorrect clothing, grandmaster Magnus Carlsen brought the International Federation to its knees. The latter announced on Sunday more “flexibility” in the authorized outfits, a relaxation which allows the return to competition of the Norwegian champion.
“I have decided to test an approach aimed at giving Fide officials more flexibility in their judgments regarding the appropriateness of clothing,” announced the president of the federation, Arkadi Dvorkovich, in a press release. Concretely, “it is always necessary to respect the official dress code, but minor elegant deviations (which can, in particular, include jeans matching the jacket) are allowed”, he specifies.
A subject touchy
This should put an end to the controversy arising from the withdrawal from the competition of Carlsen, who did not appreciate being sanctioned with a fine of 200 dollars then a ban from participating in a round (time when all participants play a game) for the simple fact that he was wearing jeans.
The Norwegian, very upset, announced that he would not return on Saturday, for the third and final day of the rapid world championship, nor for the blitz competition, Tuesday and Wednesday, of which he is the title holder. If his X account is to be believed, Carlsen should finally be there on Tuesday. In jeans, of course.
Clothing is a subject touchy in the world of chess. During the previous edition, at the end of 2023, the international federation imposed a fine of 100 euros on a player, Anna-Maja Kazarian, because her shoes were not deemed to comply with the regulations. The Dutch woman was forced to change her “sports shoes” – sneakers – and put on heels. Wearing sneakers is still not allowed this year.