World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen quit the World Rapid Chess Championship Friday after he refused to change out of a pair of jeans, a direct violation of the International Chess Federation's rules.
FIDE said Carlsen, a five-time World Chess Champion and seven-time World Blitz Chess Champion, breached long-standing regulations for the event.
He went on to accuse FIDE of "going after players ... to get them not to sign with Freestyle," a reference to the Freestyle Chess tournament.
"Basically threatening them that they wouldn't be able to play the World Championship cycle if they played in Freestyle.
"The only thing we insisted on — no Series or Tour can be called World Championship unless FIDE approves it.
Persons:
Magnus Carlsen, Carlsen, Emil Sutovsky, Carlsen's, Sutovsky
Organizations:
Rapid, FIDE