In a funny twist, Magnus Carlsen’s infamous jeans, which sparked controversy during the 2024 World Rapid Championship, were sold at an auction on eBay for a huge sum of approximately ₹31,57,686. The Norwegian chess champion will be donating the proceeds to charity.
Magnus Carlsen’s Infamous Jeans Spark Heated Bidding War
The identity of the winning bidder remains unknown, as it has not been revealed. The highest bid for the jeans was placed on Saturday, following a 10-day bidding war. The jeans are a size-32 pair and are from the Italian brand Corneliani.
When the auction first started, the highest bid was ₹12,33,334. However, in the final hour before the deadline, there was a flurry of big bids. Within just 30 minutes and over 30 huge offers, the price shot up to ₹31,57,686. The winning bidder will also need to pay about ₹6,472 for delivery.
During the Rapid Championship last year, Magnus Carlsen had a disagreement with the FIDE organizers and the arbiter after he showed up wearing jeans, which didn’t follow the event’s rules and regulations. The arbiter warned him and fined him for it. He was also asked to change his jeans but refused, saying he would do so the next day. As a result, he was expelled from the pairing for the day but was allowed to return the next day.
Carlsen’s Decision to Donate Auction Proceeds to Charity
In response to the incident, Magnus Carlsen pulled out of the tournament and criticized FIDE, attacking their organizing skills. Although he returned for the Blitz Championship, he found himself in the spotlight once again, this time for sharing the title with Ian Nepomniachtchi, which sparked further controversy.
During the Chessable Masters, Carlsen was asked about the auction, and he said, “It was my thought from very early on that this was a fun idea. It’s all going to a nice charity. Hopefully, it’s something people are interested in. They’re certainly up there with some of the more contemporary jeans. That’s for sure.”
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