World chess number one Magnus Carlsen has quit a major tournament after being told he could not carry on playing while wearing jeans. The chess great had been defending his titles at the Fide World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York when officials made the request. The grandmaster said he had offered to change his trousers for the next day, but was fined and told he needed to change immediately. He added, he wouldn’t be appealing the decision, saying he is too old at this point to care too much. The chess federation (Fide) said its dress code regulations were designed to ensure fairness and professionalism for all participants.

Carlsen is a high-profile figure in chess and the reigning Blitz and Rapid Chess champions. He has attracted some controversy in recent years. Last year, he settled a long-running legal dispute after accusing a rival of cheating in a tournament. On Friday, he pulled out of the championships for the short form versions of the game due to the dress altercation.