FIDE CEO rekindles memories of 'jeansgate scandal' while taking a fresh dig at Carlsen: 'Does it look appropriate?'

World No 1 Magnus Carlsen's ongoing feud with world governing body FIDE shows no signs of thawing with CEO Emil Sutovsky targeting the Norwegian icon as well as Freestyle Chess for the attire of top players the Grenke Chess Freestyle Open. read more
Magnus Carlsen hasn't shared the best of relations with FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky since the 'jeansgate' scandal in December. Image credit: Freestyle Chess/FIDE
The ongoing feud between Magnus Carlsen and FIDE rages on and shows no signs of a thaw with Emil Sutovsky, the CEO of what is the governing body for the sport, taking a fresh dig at the Norwegian Grandmaster as well as the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour recently.
Sutovsky took to social networking platform X to air his grievances regarding the attires of top players during the prize ceremony of the Grenke Chess Freestyle Open in Karlsruhe, Germany.
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World No 1 Carlsen was among the participants in the event that offered Freestyle Chess Tour points as well a spot in the upcoming Grand Slam event in Las Vegas in July. And he ended up winning the event with a perfect score of 9/9.
Sutovsky questions attire at Grenke Chess Freestyle Open prize ceremony
The players who were on stage with Freestyle Chess co-founder Jan Henric Buettner however, were seen wearing casual attire – which is in stark contrast to the formal clothes worn by those competing at FIDE events such as the World Championship, Candidates among others.
'Now a serious question - as we get back to review the dress code for FIDE events this year,' Sutovsky wrote on X on Friday. 'Do you, as a spectator, feel it really does not matter?'
'I think Grenke was a great event with hundreds of amateurs - but I am talking specifically about the top players. The photo is from the prize giving ceremony. Does it look appropriate? And if you were the host/organizer, would you have welcomed similar attire?
'Apart of spectators we will obviously inquire the opinion of hosting country, sponsors, broadcasters. And then we try to see what players think about it. But first thing first,' the 47-year-old Azerbaijani-born Israeli GM added.
Now a serious question - as we get back to review the dress code for FIDE events this year.
Do you, as a spectator, feel it really does not matter?
I think Grenke was a great event with hundreds of amateurs - but I am talking specifically about the top players. The photo is… pic.twitter.com/2jb6Fb3zQA — Emilchess (@EmilSutovsky) April 25, 2025
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Sutovsky's comments brought back memories of the infamous 'Jeansgate' scandal that took place in the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York City in December. Five-time Classical world champion Carlsen had courted controversy after showing up wearing a pair of jeans, violating the tournament's dress code in the process.
Also Read | Carlsen's infamous jeans that took the chess world by storm sold for a whopping Rs 31 lakh
Carlsen refused to change his denims despite repeatedly being told to do so right away by the chief arbiter, which led to him pulling out of the Rapid championship halfway through the event. The 34-year-old, however, would return for the Blitz championship, where he would find himself embroiled in another controversy by sharing the title with Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi.
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