AP – Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition, the International Chess Federation said.
The federation said in a statement that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event.
“The Chief Arbiter informed Carlsen of the breach, issued a USD200 fine, and requested that he change his attire,” the federation said in the statement posted to its website.
“Unfortunately, Carlsen declined, and as a result, he was not paired for round nine. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players.”
