Magnus Carlsen will play in the World Blitz chess championship, after all.
The defending champion, who had said that he would not be playing after being disqualified for violating dress code (wearing jeans) on the second day of the World Rapid championship, has now decided to compete in the the Blitz tournament in New York.
In an interview on the YouTube channel of his app Take Take Take, the Norwegian said he decided to reverse his decision after talking with FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich. FIDE also released a statement confirming Carlsen’s participation.
“I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” said Carlsen. “And I was about to basically book my plane tickets and get out of here. My father said that we should maybe wait until the morning to make a decision to speak to the FIDE president, Arkady Dvorkovich, whom we have a good relationship with.”
He said the talks with Viswanathan Anand, the former World champion who is now FIDE’s deputy president, did not help. “They were saying that jeans were generally not allowed. If it’s generally not allowed, that must mean that there must be exceptions. And if I, with a decent attempt at an outfit apart from that, didn’t meet that exception, I don’t see what would, frankly. So I’m not even sure I broke any rules…Apparently there was no room for discussions or anything.”
On the dress, Dvorkovich said, “It is still required to follow the official dress-code, but elegant minor deviations (that may, in particular, include appropriate jeans matching the jacket) are allowed.”
So, the focus of the Blitz championship can now be on the moves the players make, not what they wear.
Published – December 30, 2024 06:27 pm IST
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