Alireza Firouzja is a chess grandmaster who was born on June 18, 2003, in Babol, Northern Iran. He started playing chess at the age of eight and won the Iranian Chess Championship at the age of 12.
Firouzja earned the grandmaster title at the age of 14, becoming the second-youngest player to achieve this feat.
He is the youngest player to have surpassed a FIDE rating of 2800, beating the previous record set by Magnus Carlsen by more than five months
Rise to Fame
Firouzja’s rapid rise to fame began with his impressive performance at the 2018 World Rapid Championship in St. Petersburg, where he sensationally took sixth place.
He won all three disciplines at the Asian games, took 8 points out of 11 at the Olympiad in Batumi, and 8 out of 9 between the leaders of the junior Olympiad.
In late 2019 and early 2020, he finished second in the World Rapid Championship, one point behind Magnus Carlsen, and had an impressive start at the 2020 Tata Steel tournament.
He is a two-time Iranian champion and the reigning European Fischer Random champion
Move to France
In 2019, Firouzja announced that he would no longer play under the Iranian flag and moved to France with his father. As of 2021, he is the French number one chess player and a world championship candidate.
Notable Achievements
Firouzja’s notable achievements include:
- Winning the Iranian Chess Championship at the age of 12
- Earning the grandmaster title at the age of 14
- Becoming the youngest player to have surpassed a FIDE rating of 2800
- Finishing second in the World Rapid Championship in 2019 and 2020
- Winning the Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup in 2020
- Placing sixth overall in the Magnus Carlsen Invitational in 2020
Alireza Firouzja is a rising star in the world of chess, and his impressive achievements at such a young age have made him a player to watch in the coming years.
Playing Style
Alireza Firouzja’s playing style is characterized by his fearlessness, creativity, and deep understanding of the game. He is known for his aggressive play, often choosing sharp, double-edged positions that put both him and his opponents to the test.
This fearless approach to the game has become a hallmark of Firouzja’s style, making him an exciting player to watch.Firouzja’s playing style is uncompromising, and he does not shy away from a fight.
He occasionally plays slightly dubious variations and does not like to exchange pieces. His percentage of decisive games is also higher than other young talents. Firouzja’s tactical skills are likely to continue driving his grandmasters’ victims to despair.
Notable Games
Firouzja has played many notable games throughout his career. Some of his most impressive performances include:
- Winning all three disciplines at the Asian games
- Taking 8 points out of 11 at the Olympiad in Batumi
- Finishing sixth at the 2018 World Rapid Championship in St. Petersburg
- Starting out with 6.5 points out of 7 at the World Blitz Championship
- Securing the silver medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship in 2019
- Winning the Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup in 2020
- Placing sixth overall in the Magnus Carlsen Invitational in 2020
Training
Firouzja has had training sessions with various coaches, including ChessBase’s GM Karsten Mueller. He has also participated in various international tournaments, pitting himself against strong players from around the world.
Alireza Firouzja’s playing style is a fascinating mix of boldness, creativity, and deep understanding of the game. His aggressive play and tactical skills have made him a formidable opponent against some of the strongest players in the world.
