Chess champion quits FIDE tournament after being told to change jeans

World chess champion Magnus Carlsen has pulled out of a major tournament after being told he could no longer play in jeans.

The chess great defended his titles at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship in New York at the request of officials.

The officer said he promised to change his pants the next day, but he was charged a fine and told them to change them quickly.

The chess federation (FIDE) says its dress code is designed to “ensure fairness and professionalism for all participants”.

Carlsen is a famous figure in chess who has attracted controversy in recent years.

Last year, he ended a long-running feud after accusing his opponent of cheating.

On Friday, he was pulled out of the short-game competition due to a clothing dispute. Carlsen was both a master Blitz and Rapid Chess expert.

He said he would not appeal the decision, saying: “Honestly, I’m too old at this point to really care.”

He said he was wearing jeans at the lunch meeting, and “didn’t even think” to change them to a different pair of pants for the race.

He came dressed in a shirt, blazer, black jeans and dress shoes and played a few rounds before being asked to change.

When his request to change the next day was denied, Carlsen said that “it became important to me.”

In a statement, FIDE confirmed the 34-year-old had paid $200 (£159), and said its rules were applied “in an impartial manner”. They cited a case where a player paid a fine the same day before changing shoes.

Carlsen is a five-time World Chess Champion, and still holds the top position in the game.

The Norwegian has been considered a maverick in the chess world since becoming a grandmaster – the highest chess title – at the age of 13.

In a now-settled dispute with rival Hans Niemann, Carlsen withdrew from the 2022 race after Niemann beat him, before accusing his American rival of cheating.

Niemann denied the allegations, and said he would “undress” to prove his innocence.

The pair settled the lawsuit for $100m (£79m) in August last year.