Magnus Carlsen brings back jeansgate with savage dig at FIDE ahead of World Rapid & Blitz Championship: ‘I’ll be grinding…’

Magnus Carlsen has not yet moved on from the jeansgate as he took another dig at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) after it was announced that the world No 1 chess player would be competing in the World Rapid & Blitz Championship 2025. Overall, 360 players have registered for the World Championship, including 233 for Blitz and 230 for Rapid, but it’s Carlsen’s name that has created the most excitement.

There were some doubts that the highest-rated chess player of all time, Carlsen, may skip the FIDE tournament in Doha, Qatar, considering his long-drawn battle with the global body over the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam and his disqualification from the World Rapid Championship last year due to wearing jeans.

Carlsen forces FIDE to surrender

The FIDE dress code rule prohibited players from wearing jeans at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships. Following Carlsen’s appearance in jeans in New York, FIDE responded by issuing him a $200 fine. Carlsen was asked to change his clothes for the next round, but he decided to walk out of the Rapid round.

He later made a U-turn and took part in the World Blitz Championship after FIDE relaxed its rules and allowed players to wear “appropriate jeans.”

Carlsen’s withdrawal, leading to FIDE’s surrender at the time, was seen as the world’s most popular chess player misusing his influence, while a few felt the Norwegian had the right to wear jeans to a world tournament.

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Carlsen revokes jeansgate memories

Whatever the truth may be, what we know for sure is that Carlsen has not forgotten the infamous incident. After FIDE released the names for the World Rapid & Blitz Championship 2025, Carlsen took to social media to not only confirm his participation but also to take another dig at FIDE, mentioning that he would turn up in “tighter jeans” in Doha.

“9 years ago, I left the world rapid and blitz in Doha with two near misses and some viral rage moments. This year, I hope to improve on the former, but regardless, I promise to deliver on the latter. Also, I’ll be grinding at the gym to fit into tighter jeans than last time," Carlsen said on X.

9 years ago I left the world rapid and blitz in Doha with two near misses and some viral rage moments. This year I hope to improve on the former, but regardless I promise to deliver on the latter.

Also, I’ll be grinding the gym to fit into tighter jeans than last time.

— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) November 20, 2025

For the unversed, Carlsen later auctioned off the jeans from the incident, selling them for a whopping Rs 31 lakh ($36,100).