 "Explained: Why Magnus Carlsen has been disqualified from FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York")
World No 1 and defending champion Magnus Carlsen had a forgettable start to his FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship campaign in New York City on Thursday, collecting just one win and a total of 2.5 points on the opening day of the year-ending event in New York City. Things, however, went from bad to worse for the defending champion on Day 2 with Carlsen getting ejected from the tournament, bringing his title defence to an abrupt end in the most ignominious manner.
Why Carlsen has been disqualified from the World Rapid and Blitz Championship
The five-time world champion was disqualified from the Rapid and Blitz Worlds for turning up in jeans on Day 2 of the event. Carlsen was first handed a fine of $200 for violating the dress code, and was asked to change to formals immediately.
Carlsen refused to follow protocol right away, stating he would happily show up in formals the following day but wouldn’t go back and change at that moment. The 34-year-old Norwegian Grandmaster, however, was not paired for Round 9, with FIDE Chief Arbiter Alex Holowzsak disqualifying him citing rules that apply to all players.
“FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.
“Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code by wearing jeans, which are explicitly prohibited under long-standing regulations for this event. The Chief Arbiter informed Mr. Carlsen of the breach, issued a $200 fine, and requested that he change his attire. Unfortunately, Mr. Carlsen declined, and as a result, he was not paired for round nine. This decision was made impartially and applies equally to all players,” FIDE said in a statement.
FIDE statement regarding Magnus Carlsen’s dress code breach
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 27, 2024
FIDE regulations for the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, including the dress code, are designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.
Today, Mr. Magnus Carlsen breached the dress code… pic.twitter.com/SLdxBpzroe
Impact Shorts
More ShortsCarlsen trolls FIDE with ‘OOTD’ post
Carlsen, however, did not take the expulsion from the major event taking place in NYC’s Wall Street, trolling the Lausanne-based world governing body for the sport with a post on his X account captioned “OOTD” (Outfit Of The Day).
OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 28, 2024
The post has since garnered thousands of reposts and more than 26,000 likes. Among those offering support to Carlsen in the outfit controversy was popular YouTuber James Stephen “Jimmy” Donaldson, known more popularly by his online alias ‘MrBeast’.
“Savage,” was Donaldson’s one-word response to the image that was posted by Carlsen on Saturday morning (Indian time).
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