GM Magnus Carlsen‘s world famous jeans from the 2024 World Rapid Championship have been sold at auction for a staggering $36,100. The proceeds will go to charity.
An anonymous bidder had the highest bid on Saturday following a 10-day bidding war to secure a pair of the world number-one’s size-32 regular-fit Corneliani jeans. The highest bid had remained at $14,100 since February 27, but the auction saw an explosive series of bids in the final hour before the deadline.
In less than 30 minutes and over the course of 29 rapid-fire bids, the top offer skyrocketed from $14,200 to an astonishing $36,100. The bidder will also have to cover an additional $74 in shipping costs.
The Italian luxury brand jeans, originally retailing at around $300 to $500, became a piece of chess history after the controversial moment in New York last December. Carlsen was instructed by tournament arbiters to change into a different pair of pants to comply with the event’s dress code. When he refused, he was fined $200 and eventually barred from playing the final round of the day.
His decision to forfeit the tournament made headlines worldwide and sparked discussions about dress codes in professional chess. That evening, Carlsen shared his outfit of the day on social media, a post that has since received over 12 million impressions.
The auction, organized in collaboration with Chess.com, attracted attention from chess fans and made global headlines in media outlets such as the Associated Press and the Times of India.
Carlsen commented on the auction during the Chessable Masters, saying: “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. They’re certainly up there with some of the more contemporary jeans. That’s for sure.”
The proceeds from the auction will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children realize their potential through mentorship and support.
Artis Stevens, CEO of BBBSA, expressed gratitude for Carlsen’s gesture, saying the proceeds will be used to help inspire and empower the next generation through mentorship. “Chess has long been a favorite activity for Bigs and Littles in our program. It creates opportunities for mentorship, critical thinking, and lifelong connections,” he said
“With the proceeds from this auction, Big Brothers Big Sisters will expand its efforts by organizing chess clinics, community events, and more, equipping youth with essential skills to navigate life’s challenges,” he added.
This article originally appeared on Chess.com.
