Carlsen and his dramatic World Blitz Championship journey

NEW YORK: The chess world had its fair share of drama over the course of the past couple days. Magnus Carlsen, widely considered to be the greatest chess player of all time, made an early exit from the World Blitz Championship due to a disagreement he had with officials. A few days later, he won his eighth title.

Carlsen’s departure had to do with the jeans he was wearing. The now eight-time World Blitz Champion quit the tournament that was being held in New York after he was fined due his clothing. The International Chess Federation (FIDE), the governing body behind the tournament stated Carlsen wouldn’t be able to continue unless he changed out of his jeans. Carlsen had stated he would change his outfit tomorrow, but after FIDE insisted he change attire immediately, the Norwegian said “it became a bit of a matter of principle” for him.

Ensuring “professionalism” and “fairness” were the reasons FIDE cited in a statement released shortly after.

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However, they then changed their tune. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich stated that there was a need for the rules to “reflect the evolving nature of chess” and that the officials should consider “elegant minor deviations” regarding the dress code. Carlsen then returned to the tournament on December 30.

The next day, Carlsen became an eight-time World Blitz Chess champion in a thrilling game against Ian Nepomniachtchi. But, what was more interesting was the fact that Nepomniachtchi became a champion too.

Carlsen won the first two games, meaning he only needed a draw to take the title. However, Nepomniachtchi would win the next two, sending the contest into sudden death. After the duo failed to separate themselves after seven games, the reining champion made a proposal. For the first time in history, Carlsen said he was willing to share the title, and Nepomniachtchi agreed.

Carlsen is now an eight-time champion, while Nepomniachtchi won his first.

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