Magnus Carlsen to rejoin World Blitz Chess Championship after resolving jeans controversy
CNN
World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen says he will play at the World Blitz Championship after initially quitting the chess tournament due to a dress code dispute with organizers.
World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen says he will play at the World Blitz Championship after initially quitting the chess tournament due to a dress code dispute with organizers. On Friday, Carlsen walked away from the World Rapid Chess Championship after refusing to change out of his jeans, which the International Chess Federation (FIDE) said breached the tournament’s dress code. As a result, Carlsen quit and said he would not return for the Blitz competition which starts on Monday in New York. However, in an interview with chess channel Take Take Take on Sunday, the Norwegian said he would feature in competition after “fruitful” conversations with FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich and the main tournament sponsor. Carlsen, though, insisted he would continue wearing jeans. The 34-year-old, who has won five world rapid and seven world blitz titles in the last 10 years, was fined $200 for wearing jeans during the rapid tournament on Friday and was asked to change by the Chief Arbiter.
