Viswanathan Anand reacts to Magnus Carlsen withdrawing from the World Rapid And Blitz Championship: ‘Refused to follow the rules’

Viswanathan Anand, the vice-president of chess’s global governing body, said Magnus Carlsen left FIDE no choice after he pulled out of the World Rapid and Blitz Championship. Magnus Carlsen was fined by FIDE for breaching dress code rules when he turned up wearing jeans on day 2 of the event.

When FIDE fined Carlsen, the world No. 1 left the championship.

“He simply refused to follow the rules and left us with little choice. Today this decision seemed emotional. Magnus was not willing to compromise,” Anand told Chessbase India.

“Of course, it was not a step we wanted to take. We offered several options (to Magnus). The referee said as long as Magnus changed his jeans before the ninth round it would be fine. But Magnus said that on principle he would not do it. He himself stated that it is a matter of principle for him. The referee simply applied the rules and we supported that.”

Viswanathan Anand also clarified that he did not speak to Carlsen personally after the incident. However, he asked the world no. 1’s father, Henrik, for more clarifications.

“He said they wouldn’t admit. So I left,” said Anand.

“Every other player follows the rules. Ian Nepomniachtchi was asked to change and he did. That’s why he was able to continue. The fact that Magnus simply refused to follow it left us with little choice,” added the five-time world champion.

Carlsen breaks the tournament’s dress code

Earlier, FIDE said that Carlsen violated the tournament’s dress code. The world apex chess body said the world no. 1 breached the tournament’s formal dress code by wearing jeans, which are “explicitly prohibited”.

Magnus Carlsen was first fined $200 and then asked to change to formals immediately. However, the Norwegian champion rejected that.

Carlsen was then unpaired for Round 9, which eventually led to FIDE Chief Referee Alex Holowzsak disqualifying him.

World no. 1 did not take kindly to this decision, calling the rules “stupid”.

“I’m quite tired of FIDE, so I don’t want any more of this. I don’t want anything to do with them. I’m sorry to everyone at home, maybe it’s a stupid principle, but I don’t think it’s fun,” says Carlsen to the Norwegian TV channel NRK.