Player Profile: Alireza Firouzja

Alireza Firouzja is a blend of prodigious talent and competitive grit. With witty confidence and sublime skills, he continues to be one of the brightest (and boldest) talents in the chess world, a player equally comfortable in the limelight and the endgame. After all, how many GMs can talk about Endgame tactics and Vogue runways in a single breath?

Firouzja is an Iranian-French Grandmaster who earned his title when he was 14 and quickly established his place among the chess elite. Firouzja is the youngest player to surpass the 2800 rating mark, a record previously held by Magnus Carlsen. He is known for his style of playing, both dynamic and mature games, which show deep strategic lines and thinking. Known for his composure and confidence, Firouzja hasn’t shied from big moments. He was runner-up in the 2019 World Rapid Championship at 16, and by 2021, he climbed to the world’s #2 ranking, prompting many to hail him as a future World Champion in the making. 

He left the Iranian Chess Federation in 2019 because he opposed Iran’s policy of competing against Israeli players. He moved to France in the same year, after which he received French Citizenship in 2021. As of May 2023, Alireza balances his burgeoning chess career and is studying Fashion Design in Paris. 

Full Name: Alireza Firouzja

Peak FIDE Rating: 2804 (December 2021) 

Active Since: 2015

Federation: France

Career Scorecard:

Games played - 2071- (W-D-L | 1103-550-418)

Games Played as White - 1044 - (W-D-L |605-265-174 )

Games Played as Black - 1027 - (W-D-L | 498-285-244)

World Championship Cycle Appearances: 

Candidates' tournament 2022 - Winner

Qualified for the Candidates 2022 by winning the FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 2021)

Candidates' tournament 2024 - Winner 

Qualified by rating to claim a spot and finished 7th - He was the only player to defeat Gukesh in the entire tournament 

Chess World Cup 2019

He made it into the knockout stage and reached the Round of 32 

National Championships:

Iranian Chess Championship - 2016 (Winner), 2019 (Winner)

After relocating to France, Alireza has yet to compete in the French national title. 

Olympiad Medals:

Alireza represented Iran in the 2016 & 2018 Chess Olympiad, although he did not win any medals in the tournaments

2018 World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad - Gold 

Major Tournaments Won:

1. FIDE Grand Swiss 2021

2. Grand Chess Tour 2022

3. Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2022

4. Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2024

5. Sinquefield Cup 2022

6. Sinquefield Cup 2024 

Memorable Games:

Alireza Firouzja  vs Mila Zarkovic, 2019 World Rapid Chess Championship

This game is considered to be Firouzja’s Immortal Game, as he displayed his tactical prowess in the 2019 World Rapid Chess Championship with a dazzling Sicilian Miniature. 

Firouzja vs. D. Gukesh, Candidates 2024

Although Alireza finished 7th in the tournament, one of the most notable wins that he ever got was over the current World Champion Gukesh, as he was the only player in that tournament to hand Gukesh a crushing defeat.

Firouzja vs. Fabiano Caruana, Candidates 2022

A final-round classical win over the former world championship challenger, showcasing Firouzja’s fearless play against the world-class players.