Niemann accuses Carlsen of power play over jeans controversy at chess championships

American Grandmaster Hans Niemann has accused Magnus Carlsen of using a jeans controversy at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships as a "power play." Carlsen was disqualified for not following the dress code but announced he would return after the rules were relaxed. Niemann suggested that the incident benefited Carlsen's Freestyle Chess Tour project, which aims to challenge FIDE's authority. He claimed Carlsen's actions were part of a coordinated effort to discredit FIDE and promote his own tour as a legitimate championship. This controversy follows a previous dispute between the two players in 2022, when Carlsen accused Niemann of cheating after losing to him. Niemann admitted to cheating in online chess but denied doing so in their over-the-board matches.