World No. 1 Chess star Magnus Carlsen puts 'forbidden jeans' up for auction

NEW DELHI: Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, a five-time world champion and the current world no. 1 in chess, found himself in an unusual situation involving a pair of jeans and a dress code violation last year.
During the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York, Carlsen was disqualified from a round due to his attire being deemed inappropriate by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Consequently, he was fined $200 and barred from participating in round nine.
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Expressing his frustration, Carlsen initially withdrew from the rapid championship.
However, after a relaxation of the dress code rules, he returned to compete in the blitz championship, ultimately sharing the gold medal with Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi following a tie in the final.
In a unique move, the 34-year-old Norwegian decided to auction off the very pair of jeans that caused the controversy.

Listed on eBay, Carlsen humorously described them as "the forbidden jeans" and confirmed that they were "game worn" and unwashed. The auction, which is open until March 1, had already received a bid of $8,000 as of Thursday.
Carlsen's decision to auction off the jeans has garnered attention and curiosity from chess enthusiasts and collectors alike. Interestingly, he has stated that the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Big Brothers Big Sisters charity, adding a philanthropic aspect to this unconventional situation.