Magnus Carlsen auctions controversial jeans for youth charity

Magnus Carlsen, the top-ranked chess player, is auctioning the controversial jeans that sparked a dress code dispute at the December World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, where he faced a $200 fine for wearing them. The auction, which ends on March 1, features the size 32 regular fit Corneliani jeans with bids reaching $8,200 as of February 21. Proceeds from the sale will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, supporting youth mentorship through chess clinics and community events. Carlsen stated the aim is to enrich young people's lives through the game of chess. The auction has garnered attention from chess fans and followers of the #JeansGate incident, further emphasizing the cultural impact of the event. Carlsen noted that this iconic piece of chess history will help inspire and empower the next generation.