In a move that blended compliance with quiet protest, chess world number one Magnus Carlsen secured his sixth FIDE World Rapid Championship title in Doha, Qatar, with pieces of tape strategically placed on his attire. The Norwegian grandmaster covered the logos of his betting sponsor, Betby, to adhere to the strict dress code regulations set by the international chess federation, FIDE.
The Taped Logos and the Press Conference
After his victory on December 29, 2025, Magnus Carlsen addressed the media alongside women's winner Aleksandra Goryachkina. Observers quickly noticed two conspicuous pieces of white tape on his clothing: one on the right shoulder sleeve of his jacket and another on the left chest of his shirt. These patches deliberately obscured the branding of Betby, a B2B sports betting services company that has been Carlsen's sponsor since October 2024.
Interestingly, Carlsen began the tournament with the Betby logos fully visible. It was only on the third day of the event, Sunday, that he made the sartorial adjustment. Throughout the final rounds, he played with the sponsor's name taped over, while logos for his other sponsors—Chess.com, Take Take Take, and Team Liquid—remained in clear view.
Understanding FIDE's Strict 2025 Dress Code
The reason behind Carlsen's taping act lies in FIDE's updated dress code policy for the year-ending World Rapid and Blitz Championships. The regulations explicitly prohibit players from displaying logos of "prohibited sponsors", which include betting companies, alcohol, and tobacco brands.
FIDE classifies rule breaches into two tiers:
- Minor Infringements: These include sloppy appearance, wrinkled clothing, or other unintentional deviations. The penalty for a first minor offence is a fine of at least €300 (approx. ₹30,000) for open events, which can escalate to 5% of the player's total prize money. Repeat offences lead to exclusion from the next round.
- Major Infringements: This serious category includes wearing shorts, beachwear, sleeveless shirts for men, or clothing with offensive content or prohibited sponsor logos. Each major violation results in a financial penalty of 10% of the player's total prize money (with a minimum of €1,000 or approx. ₹1 lakh for open events).
By covering the Betby logos, Carlsen avoided a potentially costly major infringement.
A History of Clashes: From Jeans to Betting Logos
This is not the first time Magnus Carlsen has found himself at odds with FIDE's dress code. At the same event in New York the previous year, a major controversy erupted when an arbiter asked him to change out of his jeans for more formal trousers.
Carlsen took such strong objection to the demand that he initially dropped out of the World Rapid Championship. He was later persuaded to compete in the World Blitz Championship that followed. In the lead-up to the Doha event, Carlsen had humorously promised to play in "tighter jeans", indicating his awareness of the ongoing scrutiny. He had also been publicly undecided about participating this year, making his eventual compliance—with tape—a notable middle ground.
Carlsen's action in Doha highlights the ongoing tension between top athletes' personal sponsorship agreements and the regulatory frameworks of global sports bodies. By winning his sixth title under these circumstances, he demonstrated a focus on his game while navigating the commercial and regulatory landscape of modern professional chess.
