Magnus Carlsen Makes U-Turn, Confirms World Blitz Participation With Jeans Approval

GM Magnus Carlsen has made a sensational U-turn and confirmed that he will participate in the 2024 FIDE World Blitz Championship in New York. The seven-time World Blitz Champion has now received the green light to play with jeans.

The announcement was made in an interview with IM Levy Rozman for the Take Take Take app on Sunday, exactly 24 hours before the event is scheduled to begin in New York.

Suiting up. https://t.co/o7NWqgfVj2

— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 29, 2024

"Long story short: We can talk about how it got there, but I am playing at least one more day in New York, and if I do well, another day after that," Carlsen said.

We can talk about how it got there, but I am playing at least one more day in New York, and if I do well, another day after that.

—Magnus Carlsen

Asked when the decision became official, Carlsen responded: "About a couple of hours ago." FIDE also issued a statement, confirming Carlsen's participation.

FIDE is pleased to confirm that Magnus Carlsen will participate in the FIDE World Blitz Championship.

Speaking to Levi Rozman from “Take, Take, Take” at the playing venue on Wall Street, Carlsen said: “I am playing at least one more day here in New York and, if I do well,… pic.twitter.com/fvFJi2w970

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 29, 2024

The World Blitz Chess Championship is played as a 13-round Swiss tournament, followed by a knockout with the top eight players from the first day. It would have been the first time the event would take place without the seven-time world blitz champion since 2013.

The news comes hours after both El Pais and NRK reported ongoing discussions between FIDE and Carlsen regarding his participation. FIDE officials later confirmed that Deputy President GM Viswanathan Anand met with the Norwegian on Friday.

Carlsen revealed his shocking withdrawal from the 2024 FIDE World Rapid Championship on Friday for wearing jeans, a dress code violation that resulted in being fined $200. When given an ultimatum that he needed to change before round nine or not be paired, he refused. 

He later said that he was ready to change jeans for the next day, but not in between rounds. On his way out, he made a strong statement.

My patience with them was not very big to begin with. and it's OK, like they can enforce their rules, that's fine by me, and my response is that fine, then I'm out, then f**k you.

Carlsen also expressed his frustration with how FIDE handled the situation with the upcoming 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, claiming players who signed to play the upcoming tour were threatened that they would not be able to participate in the next classical world championship cycle.

The Norwegian later said he is done with FIDE tournament, adding "I am at full war with FIDE." In today's interview with Rozman, he shared some new insight.

"I did have some choice words for FIDE in my interview with you. I would say it was a bit imprecise. I definitely mean it when it comes to certain people in FIDE, no question about it. I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side," he told Rozman.

"I was about to basically book my flight ticket to 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 Dvorkovich. We have a good relationship and we know that we can reason with him."

I was about to basically book my flight ticket to get out of here.

—Magnus Carlsen

Oh, I am definitely playing in jeans tomorrow

— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 29, 2024

Carlsen confirmed he had conversations with Anand the following night.

"There was no room for discussions. Anand said very clearly that he didn't know any opportunity to do anything past going with the arbiter's honestly draconian decision of not pairing me. That means that for all his good qualities, he was not ready for the job. That's how I feel."

Carlsen has confirmed that he wanted FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich present during the meetings. The Russian, who is currently at home in Moscow due to flu, said he woke up to missed calls from Henrik Carlsen the next morning.

"Him being actually asleep when this went on means there were no grown-ups left in FIDE... you can argue whether I am or not, but we felt that there was nobody slightly willing to have a conversation or anything. We had long conversations with Anand and others, which generally didn't lead anywhere."

During the interview with Rozman, Carlsen used the opportunity to strongly criticize FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky: "FIDE have been very, very difficult about that whole thing," Carlsen said, referring to the discussions regarding the Freestyle Chess tour, adding: "Generally we have been able to reason with Dvorkovich. If you are talking about Sutovsky, well I don't think that man can be reasoned with in any way. We told them as much."

Generally we have been able to reason with Dvorkovich. If you are talking about Sutovsky, well I don't think that man can be reasoned with in any way.

—Magnus Carlsen

He also added: "Dvorkovich has generally been true to his words when we have talked to him. Sutovsky not so much. That's the difference. As to why he is employed by FIDE, I have no idea."

In an interview with Norwegian media, shared by ChessBase India, Sutovsky has previously denied allegations of "threats" against members of the Freestyle Chess Club.

Carlsen highlighted "fruitful discussions" with Dvorkovich, together with main sponsor Timur Turlov of Freedom Holding, and said he is now excited about playing the Blitz. 

Meanwhile, Dvorkovich has released a statement regarding the dress code, saying they will "provide more flexibility to FIDE officials."

It is unfortunate that the implementation of dress-code rules, while being legally sound and consistent, has left some feeling this is disproportionate and caused the situation everyone would have preferred to avoid.

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.

Dear participants of the World Blitz Championships in New York,

Let me begin by thanking all of you for your commitment to compete fairly and for bringing joy to millions of spectators all over the world.

It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate the winners, Humpy Koneru and… pic.twitter.com/8jHN3OD4aX

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 29, 2024

Carlsen said he doesn't know whether this will be his last participation in the World Blitz Championship, but said:

"I want to give the fans an opportunity to see this. Whether it's going to be the last time, who knows, but for now I am here," adding: 

"I will definitely play in jeans!"

Dvorkovich has confirmed that Carlsen will be allowed to play in jeans again, but notes the following in the press release:

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 the end, it is New Year time, and I sincerely hope that nobody would try to undermine the festive mood, including by abusing this additional flexibility.

Previous coverage:

• Day 3: Murzin Wins Rapid World Championship, Humpy Earns 2nd Title In Women's
• Day 2: Carlsen Quits Rapid & Blitz Championships; Murzin, Duda, Arjun, Grischuk Lead Open
• Day 1: Lazavik Beats Carlsen; Murzin, Sargsyan, Dominguez, Naroditsky Lead Open
• New Format, New Year: FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships Come To Wall Street
• Wall Street Gambit: $5,000 Tickets, Chess Legends, Financial Elite
• FIDE Breaks From World Rapid & Blitz Tradition, Introduces Rest Day
• 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships To Be Held In New York