The chess world was left stunned on Friday as reigning World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen was sensationally disqualified from the World Rapid Championship currently underway in New York City. The Norwegian superstar’s unlikely exit came after he refused to change out of the jeans he was wearing, in violation of the tournament’s dress code.
Carlsen, the world’s highest ranked player and top seed at the prestigious speed chess event, had already been warned about his attire earlier in the competition. But when officials insisted he change immediately ahead of Friday’s rounds, the 33-year-old refused.
“I said I’ll change tomorrow … but they said you have to change now,” Carlsen explained after the incident. “It became a matter of principle for me so here we are! Honestly I’m too old at this point to care too much. If this is what they want to do I’ll probably set off to somewhere where the weather is a bit nicer.”
At the time of his shocking default, Carlsen had scored 5 points out of a possible 8 and was sitting a point and a half behind the leading group, with his chances of retaining the rapid world title he has won five times previously looking slim. The grandmaster also announced he would be withdrawing from next week’s World Blitz Championship.
Reactions to Carlsen’s Controversial Exit
Carlsen’s disqualification sent shockwaves through the chess community and sparked intense debate. Some sympathized with the world champ, feeling the dress code was too strict, while others argued rules need to be followed regardless of a player’s status. As one of the most dominant and popular chess figures ever, Carlsen’s legion of fans expressed dismay at not being able to watch their hero in action.
The disqualification is not the first controversy to hit a major chess event in recent times. Earlier this year, accusations of cheating using computer assistance rocked the sport and led to lawsuits involving Carlsen and up-and-coming US star Hans Niemann. However, being defaulted for a dress code violation is almost unheard of at the top level.
Surprise Leaders Emerge in Carlsen’s Absence
With Carlsen out of the picture in New York, a surprise group of leaders has emerged atop the rapid leaderboard after eight of the scheduled 13 rounds. Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda, rising Indian talent Arjun Erigaisi, and Russian veteran Alexander Grischuk share the lead on 6.5/8.
18-year-old Russian prodigy Volodar Murzin has been the standout performer, beating US champion Fabiano Caruana and world #3 Hikaru Nakamura on his way to 6/8 and a place amongst the chasing pack. In the women’s event, 15-year-old American Alice Lee won her first four games before losing to Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun of China, who leads with 5.5/6.
World Championships Draw Global Interest
This year’s World Rapid and Blitz Championships, the first to ever be held in the United States, have attracted huge global interest. With a $1 million prize fund, 182 players in the Open and 113 in the women’s competitions, and a prestigious Wall Street venue, the sport is showcasing its mass appeal even without its biggest star.
Whether Magnus Carlsen’s early exit will impact that appeal remains to be seen. What is certain is that a dramatic and controversial world championship has just gotten even more unpredictable. As the tournament plays on without the man who has dominated chess for a decade, opportunities have opened up for new stars to be born.
