Five-time world chess champion Magnus Carlsen is auctioning off his controversial pair of jeans, which led to his now-infamous forfeit at the FIDE World Rapid Championship in December 2024, with proceeds going to charity benefitting Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Sources confirmed to cllct Carlsen was privately offered $25,000 for the jeans, which he declined.
The forbidden jeans - can now be yours
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) February 19, 2025
I am auctioning my jeans. A sentence I never thought I would write. But here we are.
All proceeds go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program????
*Game wornhttps://t.co/qgMlBdIkQq
During the December tournament, Carlsen, widely considered one of the greatest chess players in history, was asked to change into different pants, because the jeans were said to violate the tournament’s dress code.
Carlsen refused, was fined $200, and quit the tournament.
The story gained steam on social media and major news outlets, with the jeans becoming what chess.com calls “the most famous piece of clothing in chess history.”
Listed on eBay as “Magnus Carlsen's #JeansGate Jeans,” the jeans have a current bid of $7,600 with more than a week remaining at auction.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.