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Norwegian GM Magnus Carlsen, who is a two-time reigning World Rapid & Blitz Championships winner, has been disqualified from the current edition of the tournament in New York City for violating the FIDE dress code rule. In the immediate aftermath, the 34-year-old spoke to Levy Rozman for the Take Take Take App, stating that while he is fine about FIDE’s right to enforce the tournament rules, he doesn’t want to do anything with them at the same time, and said, “f*** you.”
Notably, FIDE had first fined Magnus Carlsen $200 for wearing jeans during the earlier rounds of the FIDE Rapid & Blitz Championships in New York City, giving him enough time to change into formal attire. But after repeated mistakes from the world champion in regard to wearing jeans to the tournament venue, which is “explicitly prohibited” under tournament regulations, Chief Arbiter Alex Holowzsak had no choice but to not pair him in round 9 of the tournament in the Rapid section.
I’m out. Like, f*** you. I don’t think anything more has to be said: Magnus Carlsen
In his interview for the Take Take Take App, Magnus Carlsen discussed the situation surrounding him during the World Rapid & Blitz Championships in New York City, which led to his disqualification from the Rapid section apart from opting out from the Blitz section. He was quoted as saying, as per Indian Express, “I don’t know whether it has happened in the past or not. But you know, there was this whole thing where FIDE actively wanted to, they were actually going after players as well to get them not to sign with Freestyle, basically threatening them that they wouldn’t be able to play the World Championship cycle, if they played in Freestyle.”
Magnus Carlsen also stated that he isn’t in agreement with a lot of things FIDE does, which is why he didn’t want to compromise on his principles despite being fine about their need to enforce the rules. He remarked, “Honestly, my patience with them was not very big to begin with. And it’s okay. “They can enforce their rules. That’s fine by me. And my response is that fine, then I’m out. Like, f*** you. I don’t think anything more has to be said. Okay.”
At the same time, the Norwegian GM wasn’t happy about disappointing his fans by opting out of the Rapid section of the tournament, and said, “I’m sorry for you guys and everybody at home. I hope you have a good rest of your holidays and I’ll see you at some point.”
