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FIDE Eases Dress Code for Doha Rapid & Blitz After ‘Jeansgate’

Magnus Carlsen confirmed his return with a ‘tighter jeans’ quip that revived last year’s dispute.

Overview

  • FIDE announced a relaxed code for the Dec. 25–30 championships in Doha, allowing classic non-distressed jeans in blue, black or grey for men and women.
  • The updated guidelines permit suits, unicoloured shirts and sneakers, and dress shoes, while T‑shirts, shorts, baseball caps and beachwear remain prohibited.
  • Organisers outlined penalties for untidy or wrinkled attire, with repeat or major violations risking exclusion from subsequent rounds.
  • Carlsen is listed among the entrants and said he would ‘grind at the gym to fit into tighter jeans,’ a post that quickly drew wide attention.
  • In 2024 he was fined $200 for wearing jeans, excluded from rapid pairings and withdrew before returning for blitz, later auctioning the jeans for about ₹31.5 lakh ($36,100) for charity.