The Norwegian world No 1 will compete at Doha next week, a year after he was penalised for wearing jeans in New York
One year ago, the world No 1, Magnus Carlsen, and the global chess body, Fide, were at loggerheads after the Norwegian was penalised for wearing jeans at the World Rapid in New York. The 35-year-old also agreed to share the World Blitz crown despite a rule requiring an outright winner.
Relations worsened further when Fide opposed Carlsen’s wish for the new Freestyle circuit winner to be called a world champion, he announced that he was “done” with Fide.
Next week in Doha, UAE, jeans will be allowed, the title rules have been clarified, and Carlsen will again be the clear favourite to win the Rapid, although the Blitz is more open.
When Carlsen clinched the Freestyle Tour crown with two days to spare, the most significant congratulations came from the Fide president, Arkady Dvorkovich. He said: “The new brand [Freestyle chess] has the potential to be a success story, and we are open to collaborating in a mutually beneficial way … Fide recognises [Magnus Carlsen] as the No 1 in the world in this exciting version of chess.”
