World chess number one, Magnus Carlsen, has returned to a major tournament - after he quit because he was told to change out of his jeans.

The Norwegian was told he would face a fine because of his choice in trousers so he left the competition in New York on Saturday.

The International Chess Federation has now relaxed its dress code to allow what it calls "elegant minor deviations".

"Appropriate jeans"

The new rules state that deviations "may, in particular, include appropriate jeans matching the jacket".

Mr Carlsen was defending his titles at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships when he was told he could not compete in jeans.

The pro player had been to a lunch meeting before the competition and had to change quickly.

Mr Carlsen told chess publication Take Take Take that he put on a shirt and jacket and “didn’t even think about jeans”.

OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv

— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 28, 2024

A few rounds into the tournament, he was told he would face a fine because of his jeans.

He was also told that if he didn't change into different trousers he would not be allowed to continue in the competition.

The Norwegian world champion refused and left the competition on Saturday.

Mr Carlsen said he would rather go somewhere where the weather was a "bit nicer".

"I am too old at this point to care too much," he said.

"Great news for the chess world"

FIDE quickly rewrote the rules after the spat which gained huge social media and press attention.

Carlsen will now return to the championships, which the federation has described as "great news for the chess world".

"The situation was badly mishandled on their side," Mr Carlsen said.

"I was about to book my plane tickets."

He said he was pleased to be playing again as he loved the tournament.

Reporting by IRN and Molly Cantwell. 

Magnus Carlsen of Norway, worlds number one ranked chess player.  29/3/2013 Image: Alamy