FIDE Dress Code Rules to Allow for an Elegant Minor Deviation : Magnus Carlsen's Jeans

The world of competitive chess has found itself at the center of a heated debate following renewed scrutiny of dress code regulations. Traditionally known for its focus on strategy and mental prowess, chess is now grappling with questions about fair play, integrity, and freedom of expression tied to its attire policies.  

On 27 December 2024, Magnus Carlsen announced his withdrawal from the 2024 FIDE World Rapid Championship in New York, after a dress code controversy :

"Honestly, I am too old at this point to care too much. Nobody wants to back down... I'll probably head off to somewhere where the weather is a bit nicer than here."

Carlsen was fined $200 for refusing to change his attire (jeans), a violation of the tournament’s regulations, and was not paired for a ninth-round game. The incident has further fueled discussions on whether current dress code rules are overly restrictive and outdated.

In response to the growing outcry, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) reviewed its dress code policies with views of their relaxation.

Initially, the regulations for the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships in New York City (25 December 2024 – 1 January 2025), as outlined in Article 4.10 (Player Conduct), stipulated a “strict” adherence to the dress code :

“4. 10. 1. 1. The dress code shall be determined by GSC based on the recommendations of the FIDE Athletes’ Commission.

4. 10. 1. 2. The dress code shall be strictly observed for the tournament and all the official events and press-conferences.

4. 10. 1. 3. Any requests to wear national or traditional dress shall be approved by FIDE Technical Delegate. 4. 10. 1. 4. In case of dispute the issue of acceptability of clothing shall be decided by FIDE Technical Delegate.”

This dress code had been drafted by members of the FIDE Athletes Commission, consisting of professional players and experts.

On 29 December 2024, FIDE’s President Arkadi Dvorkovich made a public statement on a trial policy aiming at introducing a more proportional, flexible and modernized approach to the dress code rules for Rapid and Blitz Championships, although the changes shall be interpreted restrictively to constitute “elegant minor deviations” that players ought not to abuse :

“As far as the application of the rules during the World Blitz Championships is concerned, based on the consultations with our partners and their preferences, I took the decision to trial an approach to provide more flexibility to FIDE officials in judgements regarding the suitability of the attire. Special assistants will be requested to help in those judgements and make final conclusions, shall any doubts arise. The principle is simple: 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. (…).” 

In this context, Carlsen came back to finish his games.

Historical Context

Founded in Paris on 20 July 1924, the World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs, or FIDE, derived from its French acronym) was officially recognised as an International Sports Federation by the International Olympic Committee in 1999.

With over 2,000 years of history, chess is believed to have originated in India during the Gupta dynasty in the 6th century under the name chaturanga, which symbolized the "four divisions of the military": infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots.

During earlier periods, there was no unified code governing the Laws of Chess or standardised regulations for international competitions.

The only binding principle was that chess was regarded as a gentleman's sport, where players were expected to maintain decorum, reflecting both the enduring beauty of the game and its respected practitioners.

The European Individual Women Chess Championship became the first tournament where the ECU Rule related to dress code became available in 2011 (ECU Dress Code regulations).