Magnus Carlsen Returns to Chess Championship After Dress Code Standoff

The chess legend resumes play at the World Blitz Championship after FIDE eases rules on jeans following his withdrawal.

Magnus Carlsen initially withdrew from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after being fined and barred from a round for wearing jeans, which violated FIDE's dress code.
FIDE, the governing body, revised its dress code to allow 'elegant minor deviations,' including appropriate jeans, following discussions with Carlsen and tournament sponsors.
Carlsen emphasized his decision to return was motivated by his love for blitz chess and a desire to engage fans, though he insisted on continuing to wear jeans as a matter of principle.
The controversy highlighted broader tensions between Carlsen and FIDE, with Carlsen criticizing the enforcement of rules and suggesting the need for modernized governance.
Carlsen's next match in the Blitz Championship will see him face Hans Niemann, a rival with whom he previously had a high-profile cheating controversy.