‘Magnus was not willing to…’: Viswanathan Anand says rules are rules on jeans row at FIDE, no exceptions for World No. 1

The world’s top chess player Magnus Carlsen has controversially pulled out of the FIDE Blitz World Championship, refusing to adhere to the tournament’s dress code, after Carlsen was fined for wearing jeans banned by FIDE rules on the second day of the event.

FIDE vice-president and former world champion Viswanathan Anand said the governing body had no choice but to enforce the rules. “He just refused to follow the rules, leaving us with little choice,” Anand told Chessbase India it seemed. Magnus was not ready to compromise.’

Carlsen’s refusal to change his jeans before the 9th round resulted in his elimination from the tournament pairs. According to Anand, FIDE offered Carlsen several opportunities for compliance. “The referee said that as long as Magnus changed his jeans before the ninth round, it would be fine. But Magnus declared that he was not going to do it in principle,” Anand explained.

The principle stand of the five-time world champion created a storm in the chess world. “Every other player follows the rules. Ian Nepomniacchi was asked to change and that’s why he was able to continue,” Anand said.

Asked if he had spoken directly to Carlsen, Anand said he had only approached the player’s father, Henrik Carlsen, for clarification. I left,” added Anand.

The incident sparked a debate over whether strict dress code was essential for chess tournaments or whether FIDE’s enforcement lacked flexibility, with Anand insisting the decision was purely procedural. “The referee applied the rules and we supported it. It was not the move we wanted to make,” he said.

Carlsen’s dramatic exit highlighted the rift between him and FIDE, raising questions about whether his stance was an isolated incident or an indicator of deeper tensions with the governing body.