Not many chess players make it into the realm of celebrity. Perhaps Magnus Carlsen can now be named in that exclusive set after he auctioned a pair of jeans for over $36,000.
The trousers became infamous after the Norwegian player refused to change them in order to comply with a dress code at a New York tournament.
He was immediately fined $200 and told to leave the event.
After a night’s sleep, the dispute was resolved and Carlsen returned to the 2024 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships.
Carlsen is the world number 1. Some observers say he may be the best chess player ever. He’s been a Grand Master since his teens, and is famed for not toeing the line.
On one occasion that included accusing an opponent who beat him of cheating.
That dispute ended up in court - and with Carlsen admitting his mistake.
This chess set from the Spassky/Fischer contest is valuable. That was arguably the most famous match in chess history.
On this occasion, the International Chess Federation (Fide) backed down.
This week the Corneliani jeans Carlsen refused to remove were sold via an online auction.
They were listed at $14,000 with just a few hours to go when a fast-paced bidding war pushed them up over $36,000.
That’s a great result for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America organisation, a mentoring programme who will get the proceeds.
Carlsen 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.”
While chess sets are often valuable - especially if encrusted in jewels like the £9-million Jewel Royale set - chess players rarely become celebrated enough to enter general stardom.
Perhaps that’s a shame.
There’s no doubting their skill and dedication. And the game generates - and gives out - plenty of cash. Last year there was a $2.5 million prize pot for the World Chess Championship.
Some players do achieve it though, and Carlsen certainly has.
Bobby Fischer was another, though he might be described as notorious as much as famous (he was outspokenly antisemitic).
His autograph can be found online at around the $1,000 mark.
If you were to add any living chess player to your autograph collection it would certainly be the headstrong Norwegian who wouldn’t change his trousers.
