Overview

• FIDE’s published guidelines for the Sept. 3–16 Grand Swiss and Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand permit classic, non-distressed jeans in blue, black, or grey.
• President Arkady Dvorkovich said the move offers more flexibility while maintaining official standards, calling elegant, appropriate jeans acceptable.
• The policy details broader business-casual options such as unicoloured shirts, dress shoes or loafers, and unicoloured sneakers for both men and women.
• The change follows last December’s dispute in New York, when Magnus Carlsen was fined $200 over jeans, withdrew from the Rapid, then returned to share the Blitz title.
• Reports indicate Carlsen is unlikely to play in Samarkand, as the adjustment is seen more as a response to the controversy that also drew criticism from top players like Hikaru Nakamura.