Anand says Carlsen left FIDE with little choice after refusing to follow rules in World Rapid and Blitz Championships

Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand said FIDE was left with little choice other than to un-pair Magnus Carlsen ahead of the ninth round of the World Rapid and Blitz Championship in New York City after the Norwegian Grandmaster refused to comply with the tournament dress code. Former world champion Anand, who serves as deputy president of the Lausanne-based global governing body for chess, added that Carlsen was simply “not willing to compromise” after being told to change the jeans that he had showed up in on Day 2 of the event.

This despite being asked to do so by FIDE Chief Arbiter Alex Holowzsak, who had initially handed him a $200 fine before un-pairing him from Round 9.

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“He simply refused to follow rules, left us with little choice. Today this decision seemed emotional. Magnus was not willing to compromise," Anand told ChessBase India.

“Obviously it was not a step we wanted to take. We offered several options (to Magnus). The arbiter said that as long as Magnus changed his jeans before the ninth round it would be fine.

But Magnus said that he was not going to do it on principle. He’s himself stated that it’s a matter of principle for him. The arbiter simply applied the rules and we supported that," added the 55-year-old.

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Anand, the first Grandmaster from India who is also a five-time world champion, added that Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi had promptly complied after being asked to change his attire, as a result of which he was allowed to continue participating in the tournament.

“Every other player is following the rules. Ian Nepomniachtchi was asked to change and he did so. That is why he was able to continue. The fact that Magnus simply refused to follow it left us with little choice,” Anand added.

OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv

— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 28, 2024

Carlsen, who remains the top-ranked player in the world, would later troll FIDE over the dress code violation by uploading a picture of himself in the attire that got him disqualified with the caption “OOTD” (Outfit Of The Day).