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{{Short description|Iranian chess player}}
{{Short description|Iranian-French chess grandmaster (born 2003)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox chess player
{{Infobox chess biography
|name = Alireza Firouzja
| name = Alireza Firouzja
|image = Alireza Firouzja World Blitz Championship 2018.jpg
|caption = Firouzja in 2018
| image = Alireza Firouzja in 2024 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Firouzja in 2024
|country = Iran
| country = {{ubl|Iran (until November 2019)<ref name=Iran/>|FIDE (December 2019{{snd}}June 2021)|France (since July 2021)<ref name=echecasso /><ref name= French/>}}
|birth_date = {{Birth-date and age|18 June 2003}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|06|18|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Babol]], Iran
| birth_place = [[Babol]], Iran<!-- DO NOT LINK PER MOS:GEOLINK -->
|death_date =
|death_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
|title = [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]] (2018)
| title = [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]] (2018)
|worldchampion =
|rating =
| worldchampion =
| rating = <!-- Leave blank, automatically filled if FideID is specified -->
|peakrating = 2702 (August 2019)
| peakrating = 2804 (December 2021) <!-- Do *not* use live ratings from 2700chess.com. Use only published FIDE standard ratings. -->
|ranking = No. 37 (September 2019)
| ranking = <!-- Leave blank, automatically filled if FideID is specified -->
|FideID = 12573981
| peakranking = No. 2 (December 2021)
| FideID = 12573981
}}
}}


'''Alireza Firouzja''' ({{lang-fa|علیرضا فیروزجا}}, {{IPA-fa|æliːɾezɑː fiːɾuːzˈdʒɑː}}; born 18 June 2003) is an Iranian [[chess prodigy]]. He won the [[Iranian Chess Championship]] at age 12 and earned the [[Grandmaster (chess)|grandmaster]] title at the age of 14. He is the second youngest player ever to reach a rating of 2700 (after [[Wei Yi]]), accomplishing this aged 16 years and 1 month. {{As of|2019|November}}, Firouzja is the No. 1 ranked Iranian player<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ratings.fide.com/topfed.phtml?ina=1&country=IRI|title=Federations Ranking – Iran|date=May 2019|publisher=FIDE}}</ref> and the No. 1 U16 player in the world,<ref>[https://ratings.fide.com/card.phtml?event=12573981 FIDE Chess Profile: Firouzja, Alireza] FIDE</ref> with a [[FIDE]] rating of 2720.
'''Alireza Firouzja''' ({{langx|fa|علیرضا فیروزجا}}, {{IPA|fa|æliːɾeˈzɒː fiːɾuːzˈdʒɒː|pron}}; born 18 June 2003) is an Iranian-French<!--Please do not edit war over this description. Discuss it on the talk page instead. --> [[Grandmaster (chess)|chess grandmaster]]. Firouzja is the youngest player to have surpassed a [[FIDE]] [[Elo rating system|rating]] of 2800, beating the previous record set by [[Magnus Carlsen]] by more than five months.


A [[chess prodigy]], Firouzja won the [[Iranian Chess Championship]] at age 12 and earned the [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]] title at 14. At 16, Firouzja became the second-youngest 2700-rated player. In 2021, at 18, he won the [[FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 2021|FIDE Grand Swiss tournament]] and an individual gold medal at the [[European Team Chess Championship]]. In 2022, Firouzja won the [[Grand Chess Tour 2022|Grand Chess Tour]]. He qualified for the [[Candidates Tournament]] in [[Candidates Tournament 2022|2022]] and [[Candidates Tournament 2024|2024]].
==Early life==

Firouzja was born on 18 June 2003 in [[Babol]].<ref>{{cite web|url =https://de.chessbase.com/post/im-fokus-alireza-firouzja|title =Im Fokus: Alireza Firouzja|publisher =ChessBase|first =Thorsten|last =Cmiel|date =12 June 2018|language =German}}</ref> He started playing chess at the age of eight.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4v4jjfVg9U|title =The story of Alireza Firouzja narrated by his father|first =Sagar|last =Shah|publisher =ChessBase India|date =9 September 2018|quote =Shah: So he started playing chess at eight? Hamidreza: Yes, yes.}}</ref>
Firouzja left the Iranian Chess Federation in 2019 because of the country's [[Boycotts of Israel in sports|longstanding policy against competing with Israeli players]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=T. O. I. |title=Iran's top chess player wants to 'change his nationality' over Israel ban |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-top-chess-player-wants-to-change-his-nationality-over-israel-ban/ |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=www.timesofisrael.com }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Doggers |first=Peter |title=Iran Pressured By FIDE For Issues With Israeli Players|url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/fide-general-assembly-iran-israel |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=www.chess.com|date=6 December 2020 }}</ref> Firouzja played under the [[FIDE]] flag until mid-2021, when he became a [[French nationality law|French citizen]] and began [[French Chess Federation|representing France]], where he had already been living.

==Early and personal life==
Firouzja was born on 18 June 2003 in [[Babol]], Iran.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://de.chessbase.com/post/im-fokus-alireza-firouzja |title=Im Fokus: Alireza Firouzja |publisher=ChessBase |first=Thorsten |last=Cmiel |date=12 June 2018 |language=German |access-date=16 September 2018 |archive-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131214426/https://de.chessbase.com/post/im-fokus-alireza-firouzja |url-status=live }}</ref> He started playing chess at the age of eight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4v4jjfVg9U |title=The story of Alireza Firouzja narrated by his father |first=Sagar |last=Shah |publisher=ChessBase India |date=9 September 2018 |quote=Shah: So he started playing chess at eight? Hamidreza: Yes, yes. |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-date=5 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505124906/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4v4jjfVg9U |url-status=live }}</ref> He has an older brother, Mohammadreza (born 1998), who also plays competitive chess.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ratings.fide.com/profile/12573990 |title=Firouzja, Mohammadreza |publisher=FIDE |date=12 December 2021 |access-date=12 December 2021 |archive-date=6 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106115131/https://ratings.fide.com/profile/12573990 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Firouzja moved to [[Chartres]], France, in 2019 and subsequently obtained [[French citizenship]] in July 2021.<ref name=echecasso /><ref name= French/> {{As of|2023|5|post=,}} Firouzja is studying [[fashion design]] in [[Paris]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Svensen |first1=Tarjei J. |title=Firouzja: New Career In Fashion Industry Takes Time Away From Chess |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/firouzja-new-fashion-industry-career |website=[[Chess.com]] |date=14 February 2023 |access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Firouzja: Take More Risks, Lose More Points! {{!}} R3 #SuperbetChessClassic | date=8 May 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FytXpz4tyME&t=281s |access-date=8 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref>


==Chess career==
==Chess career==
===2015{{endash}}2017===
Firouzja won the gold medal in the U12 section at the Asian Youth Chess Championships in 2015.<ref>[http://www.chessdom.com/asian-youth-chess-championships-2015-winners/ "Asian Youth Chess Championships 2015 – Winners"]. Chessdom. 2015-08-11.</ref><ref>[http://chess-results.com/tnr182645.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9&turdet=YES&flag=30 "Asian Youth Chess Championship-2015 (Under-12 Open)"]. ''chess-results.com''.</ref> He won the [[Iranian Chess Championship]] in 2016. He scored 8/11 points (+5−0=6), a full point ahead of his nearest competitors, and at age 12 became the youngest ever to win the title.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://en.chessbase.com/post/12-year-old-alireza-firouzja-is-iranian-champion|title =12-year-old Alireza Firouzja is Iranian Champion|first =Albert|last =Silver|publisher =ChessBase|date =28 January 2016}}</ref> Also in 2016, he was awarded the title [[International Master]] (IM) by [[FIDE]].<ref>[http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/9828-list-of-titles-approved-by-the-general-assembly-in-baku-azerbaijan.html "List of titles approved by General Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan"]. FIDE. 2016-09-20.</ref>
Firouzja won the gold medal in the U12 section at the Asian Youth Chess Championships held in 2015 in [[Suwon]].<ref>[http://www.chessdom.com/asian-youth-chess-championships-2015-winners/ "Asian Youth Chess Championships 2015 – Winners"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420151223/http://www.chessdom.com/asian-youth-chess-championships-2015-winners/ |date=20 April 2019 }}. Chessdom. 11 August 2015.</ref><ref>[http://chess-results.com/tnr182645.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9&turdet=YES&flag=30 "Asian Youth Chess Championship-2015 (Under-12 Open)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622195457/http://chess-results.com/tnr182645.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9&turdet=YES&flag=30 |date=22 June 2020 }}. ''chess-results.com''.</ref> In adult tournaments, one of Firouzja's earliest successes was in the 10th Nana Aleksandria Cup in 2015, held in Georgia. In a strong field with 15 grandmasters, Firouzja finished with 5/9, including a victory against grandmaster [[Vugar Rasulov]] and four draws against four other grandmasters. He had further successes in the Iranian chess championship semi-final, an unbeaten 7/9 (+5-0=4), which served as a qualifier to the main championship held the following year. He then took part in the strongest open tournament held that year, the Qatar Masters 2015, in which he scored 4½/9, including victories against grandmasters [[Pavel Tregubov]] and [[Neelotpal Das]].

At the age of twelve, he won the 2016 [[Iranian Chess Championship]], scoring 8/11 points (+5−0=6), a full point ahead of his nearest competitors, and became the youngest ever to win the title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/12-year-old-alireza-firouzja-is-iranian-champion |title=12-year-old Alireza Firouzja is Iranian Champion |first=Albert |last=Silver |publisher=ChessBase |date=28 January 2016 |access-date=29 March 2018 |archive-date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103003526/https://en.chessbase.com/post/12-year-old-alireza-firouzja-is-iranian-champion |url-status=live }}</ref>

These results in the Iranian championship semi-finals, the Qatar Masters and the Iranian championship increased Firouzja's rating to 2475 at age 12 years and 7 months.

Later that year, he played in the Asian Nations Cup for Iran in which he scored 5½/7 on board 4 and a notable draw against grandmaster [[Wei Yi]], who was at that time the youngest supergrandmaster in the world. Firouzja then experienced some subpar results.

In August 2016, the Iranian chess federation scheduled a match between 13-year–old Firouzja (2485 FIDE) and then 16-year-old [[Parham Maghsoodloo]] (2510 FIDE). Firouzja lost all three games.

Firouzja played in the Stars Cup 2016, an initiative by the Iranian chess federation which pitted the nation's established top players and its new wave of rising stars against some of the strongest grandmasters in the world. Featuring such notable players as [[Nigel Short]], [[Evgenij Miroshnichenko]], [[Gabriel Sargissian]], [[Aleksey Dreev]], [[Romain Édouard]], [[Ivan Sokolov (chess player)|Ivan Sokolov]], [[Lu Shanglei]], and [[Jaan Ehlvest]], it was Firouzja's first major test against such calibre of opposition and he scored 2/10, though he did score a victory over Miroshnichenko. Firouzja also played in his first [[42nd Chess Olympiad|Olympiad]] for Iran on the fourth board and finished with 4½/8.

Also in 2016, he was awarded the title [[International Master]] (IM) by [[FIDE]].<ref>[http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/9828-list-of-titles-approved-by-the-general-assembly-in-baku-azerbaijan.html "List of titles approved by General Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414210846/https://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/9828-list-of-titles-approved-by-the-general-assembly-in-baku-azerbaijan.html |date=14 April 2019 }}. FIDE. 20 September 2016.</ref>

In February 2017, Firouzja finished tied for 3rd place (6/9) in the Khazar cup, behind the winner, [[Ferenc Berkes]]. In April 2017, Firouzja had his best performance to date when he scored 6/9 in the Aeroflot Open 2017, a tournament of about 80 grandmasters, including several players in the top 100. There, he scored victories over German grandmasters [[Alexander Donchenko]], [[Matthias Blübaum]] and [[Falko Bindrich]] and also beat grandmasters [[Emilio Córdova]] and [[Maxim Vavulin]]. This result secured Firouzja a grandmaster norm and a {{chessgloss|performance rating|TPR}} of 2746, his highest rating performance until then.

In June 2017, he had a 7/9 performance at the Asian Junior U20 Championship. This result took him over the 2500 rating threshold for the first time. Later that year, the 2nd Stars cup tournament took place in Iran, again with an impressive list of foreign grandmasters: [[Baadur Jobava]], [[Loek Van Wely]], [[Alexei Shirov]], [[Lázaro Bruzón Batista]], [[Eltaj Safarli]] and [[Ivan Sokolov (chess player)|Ivan Sokolov]]. Firouzja scored 3½/6 (+2-1=3), beating Jobava and Van Wely. His victory over Jobava was particularly notable as it was 13-year–old Firouzja's first victory over a supergrandmaster (Jobava was rated 2714 at the time).


===2018===
===2018===
[[File:Alireza Firouzja - Tasnimnews 01.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Firouzja in 2018]]
In February 2018, he participated in the [[Aeroflot Open]]. He finished 40th out of 92,<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.chess-results.com/tnr322070.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9|title =Aeroflot Open 2018 A|website =chess-results.com|date =28 February 2018}}</ref> scoring 4½/9 points (+2−2=5),<ref>{{cite web|url =http://chess-results.com/tnr322070.aspx?lan=1&art=9&fed=IRI&snr=536|title =Aeroflot Open 2018 A: Firouzja Alireza|website =chess-results.com|date =28 February 2018}}</ref> earning his final [[norm (chess)|norm]] required for the title [[grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]] (GM) in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/03/04/chess-notes/mNRmClOI8vnmge2tccQVoK/story.html|title =Chess notes|first =Chris|last =Chase|website =The Boston Globe|date =4 March 2018}}</ref> He was awarded the GM title by FIDE in April 2018.<ref>[http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/10817-list-of-titles-approved-by-the-2018-1st-quarter-pb-in-minsk-belarus.html "List of titles approved by the 2018 1st quarter PB in Minsk, Belarus"]. FIDE. 2018-04-09.</ref> From 26 July to 4 August, Firouzja represented Iran at the Asian Nations Cup, held in [[Hamadan]]. Iran won all three open events, and Firouzja was the top individual performer in the classical event with 6/7.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://en.chessbase.com/post/asian-nations-2018|title=Asian Nations Cup 2018: Iran and China on top|first =Antonio|last =Pereira|publisher =ChessBase|date =1 September 2018}}</ref> At the [[43rd Chess Olympiad]], he played on fourth board, scoring 8/11 (+6−1=4).<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.olimpbase.org/2018/2018iri.html|title =43rd Chess Olympiad: Batumi 2018, Iran|publisher =OlimpBase}}</ref> He won individual gold at the World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad, held from 25 November to 2 December, with a score of 8/9 points (+7−0=2; 2736 {{chessgloss|performance rating|PR}}).<ref>{{cite web|url =https://en.mehrnews.com/news/140146/Iran-s-Firouzja-wins-gold-at-World-Youth-U-16-Chess-Olympiad|title =Iran’s Firouzja wins gold at World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad|first =Marjohn|last =Sheikhi|publisher =Mehr News Agency|date =3 December 2018}}</ref>
In January 2018, he had a string of impressive results in the Iranian chess championship semi-final (7½/9) and the World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad (8/9), which increased his rating to 2549.{{cn|date=March 2023}}


In February 2018, he participated in the [[Aeroflot Open]]. He finished 40th out of 92,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chess-results.com/tnr322070.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9 |title=Aeroflot Open 2018 A |website=chess-results.com |date=28 February 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328043248/http://chess-results.com/tnr322070.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9 |url-status=live }}</ref> scoring 4½/9 points (+2−2=5),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chess-results.com/tnr322070.aspx?lan=1&art=9&fed=IRI&snr=536 |title=Aeroflot Open 2018 A: Firouzja Alireza |website=chess-results.com |date=28 February 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323155259/http://chess-results.com/tnr322070.aspx?lan=1&art=9&fed=IRI&snr=536 |url-status=live }}</ref> earning his final [[norm (chess)|norm]] required for the title [[grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]] (GM) in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/03/04/chess-notes/mNRmClOI8vnmge2tccQVoK/story.html |title=Chess notes |first=Chris |last=Chase |website=The Boston Globe |date=4 March 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323155235/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/03/04/chess-notes/mNRmClOI8vnmge2tccQVoK/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was awarded the GM title by FIDE in April 2018.<ref>[http://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/10817-list-of-titles-approved-by-the-2018-1st-quarter-pb-in-minsk-belarus.html "List of titles approved by the 2018 1st quarter PB in Minsk, Belarus"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411153053/https://www.fide.com/component/content/article/1-fide-news/10817-list-of-titles-approved-by-the-2018-1st-quarter-pb-in-minsk-belarus.html |date=11 April 2019 }}. FIDE. 9 April 2018.</ref>
At the 2018 [[World Rapid Championship]] held in [[Saint Petersburg]], Firouzja finished sixth in a field of world-class players, behind [[Daniil Dubov]], [[Shakhriyar Mamedyarov]], [[Hikaru Nakamura]], [[Vladislav Artemiev]] and [[Magnus Carlsen]]. Starting as the 169th seed in a tournament of 206 participants, Firouzja scored 10/15 (+8−3=4) and a performance rating of 2848, the second-highest in the event behind the winner Dubov.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/daniil-dubov-ju-wenjun-win-world-rapid-chess-championships|title=Daniil Dubov, Ju Wenjun Win World Rapid Chess Championships|publisher=[[Chess.com]]|date=29 December 2018}}</ref> At the [[World Blitz Championship]], he placed 42nd out of 150 with a score of 12/21 (+10−7=4).<ref>{{cite web|url =http://chess-results.com/tnr399597.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=21&fed=NOR&turdet=YES&flag=30|title =King Salman World Blitz Championship 2018 Open|website =chess-results.com|date =30 December 2018}}</ref> He led the field by a clear point after 7 rounds with 6½/7, but his form faltered after losing to the eventual winner Carlsen in round 8.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://chess24.com/en/read/news/carlsen-lagno-end-2018-as-world-blitz-champions|title =Carlsen & Lagno end 2018 as World Blitz Champions|first =Colin|last =McGourty|website =Chess24|date =31 December 2018}}</ref>

Firouzja took part in the 2018 Malaysian Open, tying for second place behind winner [[Wang Hao (chess player)|Wang Hao]]. In the same month, he took part in the [[World Junior Chess Championship]] held in Gebze, Turkey, finishing with 7½/11.

In July 2018, Firouzja represented Iran at the Asian Nations Cup, held in [[Hamadan]]. Iran won all three open events, and Firouzja was the top individual performer in the classical event with 6/7.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/asian-nations-2018 |title=Asian Nations Cup 2018: Iran and China on top |first=Antonio |last=Pereira |publisher=ChessBase |date=1 September 2018 |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328035114/https://en.chessbase.com/post/asian-nations-2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the 2018 [[43rd Chess Olympiad]], he played on the fourth board, scoring 8/11 (+6−1=4).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olimpbase.org/2018/2018iri.html |title=43rd Chess Olympiad: Batumi 2018, Iran |publisher=OlimpBase |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328035116/http://www.olimpbase.org/2018/2018iri.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

He won individual gold at the 2018 World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad, with a score of 8/9 (+7−0=2; 2736 performance rating).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/140146/Iran-s-Firouzja-wins-gold-at-World-Youth-U-16-Chess-Olympiad |title=Iran's Firouzja wins gold at World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad |first=Marjohn |last=Sheikhi |publisher=Mehr News Agency |date=3 December 2018 |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328035119/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/140146/Iran-s-Firouzja-wins-gold-at-World-Youth-U-16-Chess-Olympiad |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the 2018 [[World Rapid Championship]] held in [[Saint Petersburg]], Firouzja finished in sixth place in a field of world-class players, behind [[Daniil Dubov]], [[Shakhriyar Mamedyarov]], [[Hikaru Nakamura]], [[Vladislav Artemiev]] and [[Magnus Carlsen]]. Starting as the 169th seed in a tournament of 206 participants, Firouzja scored 10/15 (+8−3=4) with a performance rating of 2848, the second-highest in the event, behind winner Dubov.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/daniil-dubov-ju-wenjun-win-world-rapid-chess-championships |title=Daniil Dubov, Ju Wenjun Win World Rapid Chess Championships |publisher=[[Chess.com]] |date=29 December 2018 |access-date=29 December 2018 |archive-date=29 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229075817/https://www.chess.com/news/view/daniil-dubov-ju-wenjun-win-world-rapid-chess-championships |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[World Blitz Championship]], he placed 42nd out of 150 with a score of 12/21 (+10−7=4).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chess-results.com/tnr399597.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=21&fed=NOR&turdet=YES&flag=30 |title=King Salman World Blitz Championship 2018 Open |website=chess-results.com |date=30 December 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103161153/http://chess-results.com/tnr399597.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=21&fed=NOR&turdet=YES&flag=30 |url-status=live }}</ref> He led the field by a clear point after 7 rounds with 6½/7, but his form faltered after losing to the eventual winner Carlsen in round 8.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/carlsen-lagno-end-2018-as-world-blitz-champions |title=Carlsen & Lagno end 2018 as World Blitz Champions |first=Colin |last=McGourty |website=Chess24 |date=31 December 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=1 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201125410/https://chess24.com/en/read/news/carlsen-lagno-end-2018-as-world-blitz-champions |url-status=live }}</ref>


===2019===
===2019===
2019 was a significant year for Firouzja as he managed to make a rating leap from 2618 in January to 2723 in December. Firouzja won the Iranian Chess Championship for a second time in 2019, finishing in clear first with 9/11 (+7−0=4).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-strongest-ever-chess-boom-in-iran |title=The strongest chess boom in Iran, ever |first=Shahrokh |last=Mojtabaei |publisher=ChessBase |date=3 February 2019 |access-date=17 February 2019 |archive-date=17 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142405/https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-strongest-ever-chess-boom-in-iran |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Firouzja,Alireza 2019 Karlsruhe.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Firouzja at the Grenke Chess Open, 22 April 2019]]
Firouzja won the Iranian Chess Championship for a second time in 2019, finishing clear first with 9/11 (+7−0=4).<ref>{{cite web|url =https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-strongest-ever-chess-boom-in-iran|title =The strongest chess boom in Iran, ever|first =Shahrokh|last =Mojtabaei|publisher =ChessBase|date =3 February 2019}}</ref> In March, he competed in the [[World Team Chess Championship]] with Iran. He scored 7/9 points (+6−1=2) as Iran placed sixth out of ten.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.chess.com/news/view/england-grabs-silver-at-world-team-chess-championship|title =England Grabs Silver At World Team Chess Championship|first =Peter|last =Doggers|website =Chess.com|date =14 March 2019}}</ref> Later in March, he participated in the 3rd [[Sharjah Masters]]. He tied for 1st–7th on 7/9 (+5−0=4), placing fourth on tiebreak. [[Ernesto Inarkiev]] won the event.<ref>[https://gulftoday.ae/sport/2019/03/31/inarkiev-claims-sharjah-masters-chess-crown Inarkiev claims Sharjah Masters Chess crown]. ''The Gulf Today''.</ref> In April, Firouzja competed in the Chess.com Bullet Chess Championship, losing in the quarterfinals to the eventual winner [[Hikaru Nakamura]].<ref>[https://www.chess.com/news/view/nakamura-wins-chess-com-bullet-championship Nakamura Wins Chess.com Bullet Championship] Chess.com</ref> Later in April, Firouzja placed second on tiebreak behind [[Constantin Lupulescu]] in the [[Reykjavik Open]] with 7/9 (+6−1=2). During the event's rest day, he won the European [[Fischer Random]] Championship with 8/9 (+7−0=2).<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.chess.com/news/view/lupulescu-wins-reykjavik-open-among-8-way-tie|title =Lupulescu Wins Reykjavik Open Among 8-Way Tie|first =Peter|last =Doggers|website =Chess.com|date =16 April 2019}}</ref>


A string of impressive results would follow. In February, Firouzja took clear 1st place, with 7½/9, in the strong Fajr Cup held in Tehran, Iran, ahead of notable grandmasters such as [[Pavel Ponkratov]], [[Sergey Volkov (chess player)|Sergey Volkov]], [[Yuriy Kuzubov]], [[Sergey Fedorchuk]], and the best Iranian player of the previous generation, [[Ehsan Ghaem Maghami]]. Later that month, he played in his third Stars Cup. This time it had a reduced field of four grandmasters: Safarli, Tiviakov, Bosiocic and Alekseev. It was played in a double round-robin format. Firouzja finished undefeated (+3-0=5).
Firouzja competed in the [[Grenke Chess Open]], held from 18 to 22 April. He won his first two games but refused to play against the Israeli [[FIDE Master]] Or Bronstein in the third round, thus forfeiting the game. This was in line with Iranian government policy, as Iran does not recognise the state of Israel and sanctions players who compete against Israelis. Firouzja then lost in the fourth round to 1945-rated Antonia Ziegenfuss.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://en.chessbase.com/post/iranian-gm-alireza-firouzja-forfeits-game-due-to-opponent-or-bronstein-s-israeli-nationality-at-grenke-chess-open|title =Grenke Open: Iranian star hands free point to Israeli|first =Adiya|last =Pai|publisher =ChessBase|date =20 April 2019}}</ref> He won his remaining five games to place 27th with 7/9.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://en.chessbase.com/post/daniel-fridman-wins-grenke-open-2019|title =Daniel Fridman wins Grenke Open|first =André|last =Schulz|publisher =ChessBase|date =23 April 2019}}</ref> In May, Firouzja faced Peruvian grandmaster [[José Martinez-Alcantara]] in round one of the 2019 Junior Speed Chess Championship, an online [[Fast chess|blitz and bullet]] competition hosted by [[Chess.com]]. Firouzja won the match with an overall score of 18–7.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.chess.com/news/view/junior-speed-chess-championship-firouzja-martinez|title =Firouzja Crushes Martinez In Junior Speed Chess Match|first =Peter|last =Doggers|website =Chess.com|date =22 May 2019}}</ref> Later in May, he competed in the French Rapid and Blitz Championships, held in [[Le Blanc-Mesnil]]. He won the rapid event by defeating [[Alberto David]] in the final.<ref>http://theweekinchess.com/html/twic1282.html#7</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blancmesnil2019.ffechecs.org/liran-en-force-au-blanc-mesnil-firouzja-et-hejazipour-vainqueurs-lagarde-champion-de-france-rapide-2019/|title =L’Iran en force au Blanc Mesnil : FIROUZJA et HEJAZIPOUR vainqueurs ! LAGARDE champion de France Rapide 2019|publisher =LeBlanc-Mesnil|date =31 May 2019}}</ref>


In March, he competed in the [[World Team Chess Championship]] with Iran. He scored 7/9 points (+6−1=2), and Iran placed sixth out of ten.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/england-grabs-silver-at-world-team-chess-championship |title=England Grabs Silver At World Team Chess Championship |first=Peter |last=Doggers |website=Chess.com |date=14 March 2019 |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-date=28 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328053934/https://www.chess.com/news/view/england-grabs-silver-at-world-team-chess-championship |url-status=live }}</ref> This series of consecutive results increased his rating to 2657 in the April 2019 rating list and he broke into the world top 100.
In June, Firouzja took part in the 18th edition of the [[Asian Chess Championship]], held from 6 to 16 June in [[Xingtai]]. He finished the tournament in sixth place with 6/9 points (+5−2=2). Though only the top five were set to qualify for the [[Chess World Cup 2019]], Firouzja narrowly qualified for a spot in the World Cup as 1st-placed [[Le Quang Liem]] and 5th-placed [[Rinat Jumabayev]] had already qualified in previous events.<ref>[https://www.chess.com/news/view/le-quang-liem-wins-asian-continental-chess-championship Le Quang Liem Wins Asian Continental Chess Championship] Chess.com</ref> He later finished fourth in a Blitz event held in the final day of the tournament with 6½/9 pts (+6−2=1).<ref>http://chess-results.com/tnr448034.aspx?lan=1&art=4&fed=IRI&turdet=YES&flag=30</ref>


Later in May, he participated in the 3rd Sharjah Masters. He tied for 1st–7th on 7/9 (+5−0=4), placing fourth on tiebreak. [[Ernesto Inarkiev]] won the event.<ref>[https://gulftoday.ae/sport/2019/03/31/inarkiev-claims-sharjah-masters-chess-crown Inarkiev claims Sharjah Masters Chess crown] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401031038/https://gulftoday.ae/sport/2019/03/31/inarkiev-claims-sharjah-masters-chess-crown |date=1 April 2019 }}. ''The Gulf Today''.</ref> In April, Firouzja competed in the Chess.com Bullet Chess Championship, losing in the quarterfinals to the eventual winner [[Hikaru Nakamura]].<ref>[https://www.chess.com/news/view/nakamura-wins-chess-com-bullet-championship Nakamura Wins Chess.com Bullet Championship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608171314/https://www.chess.com/news/view/nakamura-wins-chess-com-bullet-championship |date=8 June 2019 }} Chess.com</ref> Later in April, Firouzja placed second on tiebreak behind [[Constantin Lupulescu]] in the [[Reykjavik Open]] with 7/9 (+6−1=2). During the event's rest day, he won the European [[Fischer Random]] Championship with 8/9 (+7−0=2).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/lupulescu-wins-reykjavik-open-among-8-way-tie |title=Lupulescu Wins Reykjavik Open Among 8-Way Tie |first=Peter |last=Doggers |website=Chess.com |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417015056/https://www.chess.com/news/view/lupulescu-wins-reykjavik-open-among-8-way-tie |url-status=live }}</ref>
Firouzja represented Tatvan in the Turkish Super League from 17 to 28 July. He scored 11½/13 (+10–0=3), thus increasing his rating to 2702.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://de.chessbase.com/post/auf-dem-weg-zur-weltspitze-in-etappen|title =Auf dem Weg zur Weltspitze - in Etappen|first =Thorsten|last =Cmiel|website =ChessBase|date =30 July 2019|language =German}}</ref> This made Firouzja the first Iranian to reach a rating of 2700 or above.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/438671/Iranian-GM-Alireza-Firouzja-makes-history|title =Iranian GM Alireza Firouzja makes history|website =Tehran Times|date =28 July 2019}}</ref> It also makes him currently the youngest super grandmaster in the world.


Firouzja competed in the [[Grenke Chess Open]], held from 18 to 22 April. He won his first two games but refused to play against the Israeli [[FIDE Master]] Or Bronstein in the third round, thus forfeiting the game. This was in line with Iranian government policy, as Iran does not recognise the state of Israel and sanctions players who compete against Israelis. Firouzja then lost in the fourth round to 1945-rated Antonia Ziegenfuss.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/iranian-gm-alireza-firouzja-forfeits-game-due-to-opponent-or-bronstein-s-israeli-nationality-at-grenke-chess-open |title=Grenke Open: Iranian star hands free point to Israeli |first=Adiya |last=Pai |publisher=ChessBase |date=20 April 2019 |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423175844/https://en.chessbase.com/post/iranian-gm-alireza-firouzja-forfeits-game-due-to-opponent-or-bronstein-s-israeli-nationality-at-grenke-chess-open |url-status=live }}</ref> He won his remaining five games to place 27th with 7/9.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/daniel-fridman-wins-grenke-open-2019 |title=Daniel Fridman wins Grenke Open |first=André |last=Schulz |publisher=ChessBase |date=23 April 2019 |access-date=25 April 2019 |archive-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424004941/https://en.chessbase.com/post/daniel-fridman-wins-grenke-open-2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May, Firouzja faced Peruvian grandmaster [[Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara|José Martinez-Alcantara]] in round one of the 2019 Junior Speed Chess Championship, an online [[Fast chess|blitz and bullet]] competition hosted by [[Chess.com]]. Firouzja won the match with an overall score of 18–7.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/junior-speed-chess-championship-firouzja-martinez |title=Firouzja Crushes Martinez In Junior Speed Chess Match |first=Peter |last=Doggers |website=Chess.com |date=22 May 2019 |access-date=8 July 2019 |archive-date=17 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617153319/https://www.chess.com/news/view/junior-speed-chess-championship-firouzja-martinez |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in May, he competed in the French Rapid and Blitz Championships, held in [[Le Blanc-Mesnil]]. He won the rapid event by defeating [[Alberto David]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theweekinchess.com/html/twic1282.html#7 |title=The Week in Chess 1282 |publisher=Theweekinchess.com |date= |access-date=13 January 2020 |archive-date=7 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607045839/http://theweekinchess.com/html/twic1282.html#7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://blancmesnil2019.ffechecs.org/liran-en-force-au-blanc-mesnil-firouzja-et-hejazipour-vainqueurs-lagarde-champion-de-france-rapide-2019/ |title=L'Iran en force au Blanc Mesnil : FIROUZJA et HEJAZIPOUR vainqueurs ! LAGARDE champion de France Rapide 2019 |publisher=LeBlanc-Mesnil |date=31 May 2019 |access-date=7 June 2019 |archive-date=7 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607134637/https://blancmesnil2019.ffechecs.org/liran-en-force-au-blanc-mesnil-firouzja-et-hejazipour-vainqueurs-lagarde-champion-de-france-rapide-2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Firouzja participated in the [[Chess World Cup 2019|FIDE World Cup]] in September. He defeated [[Arman Pashikian]] and [[Daniil Dubov]] in rounds one and two, respectively. This made Firouzja the first Iranian player to reach the third round of a Chess World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://en.irna.ir/news/83475405/Iranian-chess-player-cruises-to-FIDE-World-Cup-third-round-for|title =Iranian chess player cruises to FIDE World Cup third round for first time in history|website =Islamic Republic News Agency|date =15 September 2019}}</ref> In round three, he faced the number-one seed [[Ding Liren]]. Firouzja drew with Ding in the two classical games, but lost both of the rapid tiebreakers and was eliminated from the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url =https://chess24.com/en/read/news/khanty-world-cup-r3-tb-xiong-knocks-out-giri|title =Khanty World Cup R3 TB: Xiong knocks out Giri|first =Colin|last =McGourty|website =Chess24|date =19 September 2019}}</ref>
[[File:Firouzja,Alireza 2019 Karlsruhe.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Firouzja in 2019]]
In June, Firouzja took part in the 18th edition of the [[Asian Chess Championship]], held from 6 to 16 June in [[Xingtai]]. He finished the tournament in sixth place with 6/9 points (+5−2=2). Though only the top five were set to qualify for the [[Chess World Cup 2019]], Firouzja narrowly qualified for a spot in the World Cup as 1st-placed [[Lê Quang Liêm]] and 5th-placed [[Rinat Jumabayev]] had already qualified in previous events.<ref>[https://www.chess.com/news/view/le-quang-liem-wins-asian-continental-chess-championship Le Quang Liem Wins Asian Continental Chess Championship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618052051/https://www.chess.com/news/view/le-quang-liem-wins-asian-continental-chess-championship |date=18 June 2019 }} Chess.com</ref> He later finished fourth in a Blitz event held on the final day of the tournament with 6½/9 pts (+6−2=1).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chess-results.com/tnr448034.aspx?lan=1&art=4&fed=IRI&turdet=YES&flag=30 |title=Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com – Asian Continental Open and Women's Championships 2019 |publisher=Chess-results.com |date=15 June 2019 |access-date=13 January 2020 |archive-date=1 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101212438/http://chess-results.com/tnr448034.aspx?lan=1&art=4&fed=IRI&turdet=YES&flag=30 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Firouzja represented Tatvan in the Turkish Super League from 17 to 28 July. He scored 11½/13 (+10–0=3), thus increasing his rating to 2702.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://de.chessbase.com/post/auf-dem-weg-zur-weltspitze-in-etappen |title=Auf dem Weg zur Weltspitze – in Etappen |first=Thorsten |last=Cmiel |website=ChessBase |date=30 July 2019 |language=German |access-date=1 August 2019 |archive-date=1 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801023125/https://de.chessbase.com/post/auf-dem-weg-zur-weltspitze-in-etappen |url-status=live }}</ref> This made Firouzja the first Iranian to reach a rating of 2700 or above.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/438671/Iranian-GM-Alireza-Firouzja-makes-history |title=Iranian GM Alireza Firouzja makes history |website=Tehran Times |date=28 July 2019 |access-date=1 August 2019 |archive-date=1 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801023124/https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/438671/Iranian-GM-Alireza-Firouzja-makes-history |url-status=live }}</ref> It also made him the youngest player in the world rated 2700 or more, and the second youngest player in history (after [[Wei Yi]]) to achieve that feat.<ref name="CNN2020" /><ref>[https://en.chessbase.com/post/alireza-firouzja-to-play-for-france Alireza Firouzja to play for France] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203034157/https://en.chessbase.com/post/alireza-firouzja-to-play-for-france |date=3 December 2021 }}, [[Chessbase]], 7 September 2021</ref>

At the [[Chess World Cup 2019|FIDE World Cup]] in September, Firouzja defeated [[Arman Pashikian]] in round one and Daniil Dubov in round two. This made Firouzja the first Iranian player to reach the third round of a Chess World Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.irna.ir/news/83475405/Iranian-chess-player-cruises-to-FIDE-World-Cup-third-round-for |title=Iranian chess player cruises to FIDE World Cup third round for the first time in history |website=Islamic Republic News Agency |date=15 September 2019 |access-date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=1 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201160847/https://en.irna.ir/news/83475405/Iranian-chess-player-cruises-to-FIDE-World-Cup-third-round-for |url-status=live }}</ref> In round three, he faced the number-one seed [[Ding Liren]]. Firouzja drew with Ding in the two classical games, but lost both of the rapid tiebreakers and was eliminated from the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/khanty-world-cup-r3-tb-xiong-knocks-out-giri |title=Khanty World Cup R3 TB: Xiong knocks out Giri |first=Colin |last=McGourty |website=Chess24 |date=19 September 2019 |access-date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=19 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919164832/https://chess24.com/en/read/news/khanty-world-cup-r3-tb-xiong-knocks-out-giri |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 December, Firouzja announced that he would no longer play under the Iran chess federation after Iran withdrew its players from the 2019 World Rapid and Blitz Championship to uphold their ban against Iranians playing against [[Israelis]]. He instead competed as a FIDE-licensed competitor.<ref name="CNN2020">[https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/17/sport/alireza-firouzja-beat-magnus-carlsen-iran-chess-spt-intl/index.html Iranian teen shocks chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen to win $14,000 prize] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415153204/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/17/sport/alireza-firouzja-beat-magnus-carlsen-iran-chess-spt-intl/index.html |date=15 April 2021 }}, [[CNN]], 17 April 2020</ref><ref name=Iran>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/dec/27/chess-iran-alireza-firouzja-ban-israel |title=Chess: Iran's Alireza Firouzja, 16, bypasses ban on playing Israelis |work=The Guardian |date=27 December 2019 |access-date=28 December 2019 |archive-date=28 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228203940/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/dec/27/chess-iran-alireza-firouzja-ban-israel |url-status=live |last1=Barden |first1=Leonard }}</ref> Firouzja competed in the [[World Rapid Chess Championship]] from 26 to 28 December. He finished the tournament as runner-up with 10½/15 (+8–2=5), one point short of winner Magnus Carlsen. He was the first-ever Iranian-born grandmaster to go on a podium in the history of the competition.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-chess-player-who-refused-to-play-for-his-country-wins-silver-medal-at-world-championship/30349833.html |title=Iranian Chess Player Who Refused To Play For His Country Wins Silver Medal At World Championship |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |access-date=18 January 2020 |archive-date=6 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106014431/https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-chess-player-who-refused-to-play-for-his-country-wins-silver-medal-at-world-championship/30349833.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/carlsen-humpy-win-world-rapid-firouzja-grabs-silver |title=Carlsen & Humpy win Rapids &#124; Firouzja grabs silver |website=chess24.com |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=1 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101105748/https://chess24.com/en/read/news/carlsen-humpy-win-world-rapid-firouzja-grabs-silver |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[World Blitz Chess Championship]] held from 29 to 30 December, Firouzja placed sixth with 13½/21 (+12–6=3).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/what-happened-in-carlsen-vs-firouzja |title=What happened in Carlsen vs. Firouzja? |website=chess24.com |access-date=3 January 2020 |archive-date=26 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526113850/https://chess24.com/en/read/news/what-happened-in-carlsen-vs-firouzja |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2020===
Firouzja participated in the [[Tata Steel Chess Tournament#2020|Tata Steel Chess Tournament]] in January.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tatasteelchess.com/players/masters/all-masters |title=All Tata Steel Masters – Tata Steel Chess |website=tatasteelchess.com |access-date=18 January 2020 |archive-date=2 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502114219/https://www.tatasteelchess.com/players/masters/all-masters |url-status=dead}}</ref> He became the first Iranian to compete in the Masters' bracket of the tournament; Parham Maghsoodloo had previously competed in the 2019 Tata Steel Challengers. This was the first time that Firouzja faced the world elite in a classical round-robin tournament, and he said in an interview that his expectations were not oriented towards winning the event, but gaining more experience at the top level.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/tatasteelchess/status/1217889605481123841 |title=&#124; Another win for the 16-year old Alireza Firouzja. #TataSteelChesspic.twitter.com/ux4hUb8IxV |first=Tata Steel |last=Chess |date=16 January 2020 |access-date=18 January 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118191257/https://twitter.com/tatasteelchess/status/1217889605481123841 |url-status=live }}</ref> He finished with 6½/13 (+4–4=5), placing ninth.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tatasteelchess.com/players/masters/master-standings |title=Standings - Tata Steel Masters 2020 - Tata Steel Chess |website=tatasteelchess.com |access-date=26 January 2020 |archive-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314162041/https://www.tatasteelchess.com/players/masters/master-standings |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In February, Firouzja competed in the Masters section of the Prague International Chess Festival, a 10-player category XIX round-robin event, as a late replacement for [[Wei Yi]], who could not attend due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://praguechessfestival.com/alireza-firouzja-to-play-in-prague |title=WORLD JUNIOR #1 ALIREZA FIROUZJA TO PLAY IN PRAGUE |website=Prague Chess Festival |date=9 February 2020 |access-date=22 February 2020 |archive-date=22 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222115536/https://praguechessfestival.com/alireza-firouzja-to-play-in-prague |url-status=live }}</ref> After a tie for first–fifth on 5/9, Firouzja won the tournament with a 2–0 [[blitz chess|blitz]] tiebreak victory over [[Vidit Gujrathi]], giving him his first "supertournament" victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/prague-masters-9-firouzja-wins-1st-supertournament |title=Prague Masters: Firouzja wins 1st supertournament |website=Chess24 |date=21 February 2020 |access-date=22 February 2020 |archive-date=22 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222115541/https://chess24.com/en/read/news/prague-masters-9-firouzja-wins-1st-supertournament |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 15 April, Firouzja faced Magnus Carlsen in the final of the [[Chess24.com|Chess24]] Banter Blitz Cup and won 8½–7½.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/firouzja-beats-carlsen-to-win-the-banter-blitz-cup |title=Firouzja beats Carlsen to win the Banter Blitz Cup |website=Chess24 |date=16 April 2020 |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-date=17 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417071124/https://chess24.com/en/read/news/firouzja-beats-carlsen-to-win-the-banter-blitz-cup |url-status=live }}</ref> Firouzja then competed in the [[Magnus Carlsen Invitational]], a rapid tournament held by Chess24 from 18 April to 3 May, along with Carlsen and six other top players. Carlsen defeated Firouzja in their match by a score of 2½–1½. Firouzja placed sixth overall and did not advance to the four-way playoff.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/2020-magnus-carlsen-invitational-chess |title=Magnus Carlsen Wins Magnus Carlsen Invitational |first=Peter |last=Doggers |website=Chess.com |date=3 May 2020 |access-date=3 May 2020 |archive-date=6 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506233905/https://www.chess.com/news/view/2020-magnus-carlsen-invitational-chess |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October, Firouzja participated in the annual [[Norway Chess]] supertournament, in [[Stavanger]]. The tournament was held with a football scoring system (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss). In the case of a draw, players played an [[armageddon chess|armageddon]] game for an additional 1/2-point. Firouzja finished in second place, behind World Champion [[Magnus Carlsen]] and ahead of [[Levon Aronian]], [[Fabiano Caruana]] and [[Jan-Krzysztof Duda]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://norwaychess.no/en/2020/10/16/a-special-8th-edition-comes-to-an-end/ |title=A SPECIAL 8TH EDITION COMES TO AN END |date=17 October 2020 |access-date=17 October 2020 |archive-date=19 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019210414/https://norwaychess.no/en/2020/10/16/a-special-8th-edition-comes-to-an-end/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By the standard scoring method, Firouzja's score of 4 victories, 1 loss and 5 draws would have been enough to tie for 1st place, but Carlsen's extra points from wins in the armageddon segment relegated Firouzja to second place. His performance rating for the event was 2880.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

=== 2021 ===
Firouzja participated in the [[Tata Steel Chess Tournament#2021|83rd Tata Steel Masters]] in January. Going into the final round of the tournament, Firouzja had the chance to tie for first with a win in his final game. However, due to the tournament's tiebreaker rules, he would be unable to compete for first place even if he finished with the same number of points as the tournament's leaders. In his final round matchup against [[Radosław Wojtaszek]], the arbiters suggested mid-game that the two move to a different table, irritating Firouzja. The situation generated controversy and the event organizers ultimately apologized.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tata Steel Chess apologise to Firouzja after controversy |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/tata-steel-chess-apologise-to-firouzja-after-controversy |access-date=6 April 2021 |website=chess24.com |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303183336/https://chess24.com/en/read/news/tata-steel-chess-apologise-to-firouzja-after-controversy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doggers (PeterDoggers) |first=Peter |title=Tata Steel Chess Tournament Issues Statement On Firouzja Controversy |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/tata-steel-chess-2021-statement-firouzja-controversy |access-date=6 April 2021 |website=Chess.com |date=5 February 2021 |archive-date=4 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304011648/https://www.chess.com/news/view/tata-steel-chess-2021-statement-firouzja-controversy |url-status=live }}</ref> The game ultimately ended in a draw, and Firouzja placed fifth in the tournament with a score of 8/13 (+4-1=8), level with [[Andrey Esipenko]] and Fabiano Caruana on points who finished third and fourth, respectively. He had a 2806 TPR for the event and went up to number 13 in the world rankings.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Doggers |first1=Peter |title=Jorden van Foreest Wins Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2021 |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/jorden-van-foreest-wins-tata-steel-chess-tournament-2021 |website=chess.com |date=31 January 2021 |access-date=1 February 2021 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131185845/https://www.chess.com/news/view/jorden-van-foreest-wins-tata-steel-chess-tournament-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June Firouzja participated in the Paris Rapid and Blitz, part of the [[Grand Chess Tour]]. He performed poorly in the rapid, scoring 7/18, but scored 11/18 to finish second to [[Wesley So]] in the blitz.<ref>[https://grandchesstour.org/blog/2021-paris-rapid-blitz-day-5-recap 2021 Paris Rapid & Blitz - Day 5 Recap] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201201335/https://grandchesstour.org/blog/2021-paris-rapid-blitz-day-5-recap |date=1 December 2021 }}, grandchesstour.com</ref>

Firouzja applied for and obtained French nationality in July 2021.<ref name=echecasso>{{cite web |title=Alireza Firouzja est désormais français ! |url=http://www.echecs.asso.fr/Actu.aspx?Ref=13464 |website=echecs.asso.fr/ |access-date=10 July 2021 |archive-date=8 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708095841/http://www.echecs.asso.fr/Actu.aspx?Ref=13464 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=French>{{cite web |first1=Colin |last1=McGourty |title=Alireza Firouzja is now the French no. 1 |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/alireza-firouzja-is-now-the-french-no-1 |website=chess24.com |access-date=10 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713172915/https://chess24.com/en/read/news/alireza-firouzja-is-now-the-french-no-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

He was the 8th seed at the [[Chess World Cup 2021]], but was knocked out in the second round by [[Javokhir Sindarov]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=FIDE World Cup 2.3: Sindarov knocks out Firouzja |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/fide-world-cup-2-3-sindarov-knocks-out-firouzja |access-date=19 July 2021 |website=chess24.com |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718133035/https://chess24.com/en/read/news/fide-world-cup-2-3-sindarov-knocks-out-firouzja |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September, Firouzja finished in second place in the [[Norway Chess]] supertournament 2021 edition, behind [[Magnus Carlsen]], but ahead of a field including [[World Chess Championship 2021|World Championship challenger]] [[Ian Nepomniachtchi]] and [[World Chess Championship 2016|former challenger]] [[Sergey Karjakin]].<ref>[https://norwaychess.no/en/pairings-and-results-2021/ Pairing and Results, 2021] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122183257/https://norwaychess.no/en/pairings-and-results-2021/ |date=22 November 2021 }}, [[Norway Chess]]</ref> He scored +5-2=3 in standard time control games, finishing with four consecutive wins, and moved into the world's top 10 for the first time in the October 2021 rating list (10th in October, 9th in November).

In November Firouzja participated in the 2nd [[FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 2021|FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=FIDE Grand Swiss 2021 Final Standings |url=https://grandswiss.fide.com/open/ |access-date=7 November 2021 |website=fide.com |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107193002/https://grandswiss.fide.com/open/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Firouzja won the tournament with a score of 8/11, half a point ahead of [[Fabiano Caruana]], thus qualifying for the [[Candidates Tournament 2022]]. He became the fourth-youngest player to qualify for a [[Candidates Tournament]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/12/chess-teenager-alireza-firouzja-aiming-to-be-youngest-ever-world-champion Chess: Teenager Alireza Firouzja aiming to be youngest ever world champion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114083641/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/12/chess-teenager-alireza-firouzja-aiming-to-be-youngest-ever-world-champion |date=14 November 2021 }}, [[Leonard Barden]], [[The Guardian]], 12 November 2021</ref>

That same month Firouzja represented France in the [[European Team Chess Championship]], where he scored 8/9 against grandmaster opposition for a [[Elo rating system#Performance rating|tournament performance rating]] of over 3000.<ref>{{Cite web|title=23rd European Team Chess Championship 2021 - Open - Team composition for federation FRA|url=https://chess-results.com/tnr583987.aspx?lan=1&art=20&fed=FRA&turdet=YES&flag=30|access-date=22 November 2021|website=Chess-results.com|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122023428/https://chess-results.com/tnr583987.aspx?lan=1&art=20&fed=FRA&turdet=YES&flag=30|url-status=live}}</ref> The two November results took his rating above 2800 for the first time, and to number 2 in the December standard ratings list.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ratings.fide.com/profile/12573981/chart |title=Alireza Firouzja FIDE rating chart |access-date=1 December 2021 |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201201630/https://ratings.fide.com/profile/12573981/chart |url-status=live }}</ref> At the age of {{age in years and days|2003|6|18|2021|12|1}}, he became the youngest player to be rated over 2800, breaking the previous record of 18 years and 336 days held by [[Magnus Carlsen]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levin|first=Anthony|title=Alireza Firouzja Youngest Chess Player Ever To Break 2800|url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/alireza-firouzja-youngest-chess-player-ever-to-break-2800|access-date=22 November 2021|website=Chess.com|date=21 November 2021 |archive-date=21 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121225612/https://www.chess.com/news/view/alireza-firouzja-youngest-chess-player-ever-to-break-2800|url-status=live}}</ref>

After winning the [[World Chess Championship 2021]], Magnus Carlsen said: "If someone other than Firouzja wins the Candidates Tournament, it is unlikely that I will play the next world championship match."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Doggers (PeterDoggers)|first=Peter|title=BREAKING: Carlsen Might Only Defend Title Vs. Firouzja|url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/magnus-carlsen-defend-world-chess-title-alireza-firouzja|access-date=17 December 2021|website=Chess.com|date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=16 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216145715/https://www.chess.com/news/view/magnus-carlsen-defend-world-chess-title-alireza-firouzja|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 29 to 30 December, Firouzja also participated in the [[World Blitz Chess Championship]], where he tied for first place with [[Maxime Vachier-Lagrave]] and [[Jan-Krzysztof Duda]], scoring 15/21 points. He finished in third place after the tiebreaks, won by Vachier-Lagrave.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is the new World Blitz Champion – Full report |url=https://worldrapidandblitz.fide.com/maxime-vachier-lagrave-is-the-new-world-blitz-champion-full-report/|access-date=13 May 2022|website=fide.com|archive-date=31 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211231193751/https://worldrapidandblitz.fide.com/maxime-vachier-lagrave-is-the-new-world-blitz-champion-full-report|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2022 ===
In May, Firouzja participated in the [[Grand Chess Tour 2022#Superbet Chess Classic|Superbet Chess Classic]] held in Bucharest, Romania, the first leg of 2022 [[Grand Chess Tour]]. As the top seed going into the event, he finished with a -1 score with 1 win and 2 losses in the 10 player single robin super tournament, tying for 7th place with [[Ian Nepomniachtchi]]. He lost the third round to Nepomniachtchi, won the fifth round against [[Leinier Domínguez]] and lost the final round to [[Maxime Vachier-Lagrave]], who went on to win the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com - 2022 GCT Superbet Chess Classic |url=https://chess-results.com/tnr634551.aspx?lan=1&art=2&flag=30 |access-date=16 August 2022 |website=chess-results.com}}</ref>

From 16 June to 5 July, Firouzja participated in the [[2022 Candidates Tournament]] held in Madrid, Spain, having qualified to play by winning the [[FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 2021|Grand Swiss]] in 2021. He finished in sixth place, ending with a 6/14 score, winning against [[Richárd Rapport]] in round 9 and [[Fabiano Caruana]] in round 14 while losing against Caruana, [[Hikaru Nakamura]] and Nepomniachtchi (twice).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://candidates.fide.com/crosstable |title=Crosstable |website=Fide |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>

From 18 to 24 July, Firouzja participated in the [[Grand Chess Tour 2022#Superbet Chess Classic|Croatia GCT Rapid & Blitz]] where he tied 2nd overall – behind [[Magnus Carlsen]] – alongside compatriot [[Maxime Vachier-Lagrave]] with 22/36 points – earning him $27,500 and 9 GCT points for his second-place finish.<ref>{{cite web |title=Magnus Carlsen wins Croatia Rapid & Blitz|url= https://chess24.com/en/read/news/magnus-carlsen-wins-croatia-rapid-blitz |website= Chess24 |access-date= 12 August 2022 }}</ref> Firouzja did not play in the [[44th Chess Olympiad]] in Chennai, along with Vachier-Lagrave and [[Étienne Bacrot]], citing exhaustion and hot weather.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8TmrKlXyCo&t=102s |title=Gotham City Podcast – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave|website=YouTube |date=8 August 2022 |access-date=12 August 2022}}</ref>

From 15 to 21 August, Firouzja played in the [[Champions Chess Tour 2022#FTX Crypto Cup|FTX Crypto Cup]] as part of the [[Champions Chess Tour 2022|Meltwater Champions Chess Tour]]. He finished with 15/21 points, behind first-place finisher [[Magnus Carlsen]] and tying for second alongside [[R Praggnanandhaa|Praggnanandhaa]] on points but placing third due to tiebreak rules. His third-place finish with 15 points earned him $37,500.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Leon |title=Magnus Carlsen clinches FTX Crypto Cup in Miami |url=https://chess24.com/tour/magnus-carlsen-clinches-ftx-crypto-cup-in-miami/ |website=chess24.com |access-date=23 August 2022 |archive-date=22 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822032010/https://chess24.com/tour/magnus-carlsen-clinches-ftx-crypto-cup-in-miami/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

From 26 to 30 August, Firouzja participated in the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament as part of the [[Grand Chess Tour 2022|Grand Chess Tour]] and won first place with four rounds to spare. Firouzja finished with 26/36 points (11/18 points in the rapid section and 15/18 points in the blitz section),{{efn| There were 9 games of rapid chess and 18 games of blitz chess. 2 points are available for each win in a rapid game and 1 point is available for each win in a blitz game}} setting the record for the youngest player to win a Grand Chess Tour event and breaking the record for the most dominant win by being 5 points ahead of the field.<ref>{{cite web |title=Unstoppable Alireza Firouzja demolishes field to win in St Louis |url=https://new.chess24.com/wall/news/unstoppable-alireza-firouzja-demolishes-field-to-win-in-st-louis |website=chess24.com |access-date=30 August 2022}}</ref>

On 11 September, Firouzja won the Sinquefield Cup, a 9{{efn| One of the participants, [[Magnus Carlsen]] withdrew from the tournament after round 3 which caused all of his games to be annulled. }} player round robin tournament, after defeating [[Ian Nepomniachtchi]] in a rapid tiebreak match.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pairings & Results {{!}} Grand Chess Tour |url=https://grandchesstour.org/2022-grand-chess-tour/2022-sinquefield-cup/pairings-results |access-date=12 September 2022 |website=grandchesstour.org}}</ref> He finished with a score of 5/8 (+3-1=5) {{efn|3 wins, 1 loss, 5 draws. 3 wins against [[Levon Aronian]], [[Shakhriyar Mamedyarov]] and [[Wesley So]] and 1 loss against [[Ian Nepomniachtchi]]. }} and his Sinquefield cup victory in Saint Louis earned him $87,500 alongside his $100,000 bonus for winning the [[Grand Chess Tour 2022|Grand Chess Tour]] with a 6½ point lead ahead of runner-up, [[Wesley So]]. {{efn| Firouzja finished with 36½ points, ahead of second place [[Wesley So]] on 30 points and third place [[Maxime Vachier-Lagrave]] on 29 points. }}<ref>{{cite web |last1=McGourty |first1=Colin |title=Alireza Firouzja wins it all in St. Louis |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/alireza-firouzja-wins-it-all-in-st-louis |website=chess24.com |access-date=12 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Colodro |first1=Carlos Alberto |title=Alireza Firouzja conquers Saint Louis! |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/sinquefield-cup-2022-r9 |website=chessbase.com |date=12 September 2022 |access-date=12 September 2022}}</ref>

On 16 September, Firouzja finished tied first on points, alongside [[Fabiano Caruana]], with 6½/9 in the Champions Showdown:Chess 9LX – a rapid [[Fischer random chess|chess 960]] tournament. On the verge of scoring a hat-trick in Saint Louis,{{efn| Firouzja had already won the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz, and the Sinquefield Cup in the weeks prior to the start of this tournament. Chess 9LX would have been his third consecutive tournament win in Saint Louis, not counting his victory in the Grand Chess Tour.}} Firouzja eventually lost the playoff against Caruana after losing the [[Glossary of chess#armageddon|armageddon]] game, stumbling into a [[zugzwang]] with the black pieces.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rodgers |first1=Jack |title=Caruana Wins Armaggedon Playoff Thriller |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/2022-champions-showdown-chess9lx-day-3 |website=chess.com |date=16 September 2022 |access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref> His second-place finish earned him $31,250.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Svensen |first1=Tarjei |title=Caruana beats Firouzja in Armageddon to win Chess 9LX |url=https://chess24.com/en/read/news/caruana-stops-firouzja-from-winning-everything-in-st-louis |website=chess24.com |access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref>

===2023===
[[File:AlirezaFirouzja23b.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Firouzja in 2023]]
In May, Firouzja participated in the [[Grand Chess Tour 2023#Superbet Chess Classic|Superbet Chess Classic]] in Bucharest, eventually finishing tied for second, ending up with a +1 score, losing two games and winning three, including one over then recently crowned world champion [[Ding Liren]] and the runner up in the [[2023 World Chess Championship]], [[Ian Nepomniachtchi]]. On 29 May, Firouzja participated in the [[Norway Chess#2023|Norway Chess Blitz tournament]], finishing second behind the Uzbek [[Nodirbek Abdusattorov]]. In June, Firouzja participated in the Norway Chess Classical Tournament, losing the first round to Indian [[Gukesh D|Gukesh Dommaraju]], but winning the next two rounds against Azerbaijani [[Shakhriyar Mamedyarov]] and Abdusattorov.

In December, Firouzja became the subject of controversy after organizing a tournament titled "Alireza Firouzja's Race to Candidates" with several lower rated players ([[Sergey Fedorchuk]], [[Andrei Shchekachev]], and [[Alexandre Dgebuadze]]), allegedly with the sole purpose of gaining enough rating points to leapfrog [[Wesley So]] for the rating qualification spot for the [[Candidates Tournament 2024|2024 Candidates Tournament]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2023 |title=Let me quickly get some Elo, please! |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/let-me-quickly-get-some-rating-points-please |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Chess News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McGourty (Colin_McGourty) |first=Colin |date=18 December 2023 |title=Dominguez Quits Sunway Sitges; Firouzja To Fight So For Candidates |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/dominguez-quits-sitges-wesley-so-firouzja-candidates |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=Chess.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chess.com/events/2023-alireza-firouzjas-race-to-candidates/results|title=Alireza Firouzja's Race to Candidates}}</ref> Firouzja finished with a score of 5.5/6, failing to surpass So.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McGourty |first1=Colin |title=Firouzja Falls At Final Candidates Hurdle, Wins Only 5.5/6, Drops Below So |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/firouzja-wesley-so-candidates |website=chess.com |date=22 December 2023 |access-date=23 December 2023}}</ref> He later surpassed So after playing in the Open de Rouen, securing his spot in the Candidates with a perfect score of 7/7 and a victory over former FIDE World Championship finalist [[Gata Kamsky]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGourty |first=Colin |date=29 December 2023 |title=Firouzja Overtakes Wesley So To Grab Candidates Rating Spot |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/firouzja-wesley-so-candidates-rouen |access-date=1 January 2024 |website=Chess.com}}</ref>

=== 2024 ===
Firouzja competed in the [[Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024|Tata Steel Masters]] in January. He placed fifth with 7½/13 (+5–3=5).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cmiel |first=Thorsten |date=2024-02-21 |title=On the way to Toronto: Candidates' performances in Wijk aan Zee |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/on-the-way-to-toronto-wijk-aan-zee |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Chess News |language=en}}</ref> At the 2024 Candidates Tournament in April, Firouzja finished in seventh place. He won two games, and lost six. He was the only player to defeat the winner, [[Gukesh D]]. On June 13th, Firouzja won the Bullet Chess Championship on Chess.com by defeating American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in the final.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGourty (Colin_McGourty) |first=Colin |date=2024-04-22 |title=9 Things We Learned — 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/9-things-we-learned-2024-fide-candidates-tournament |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Chess.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

On August 16, Firouzja won the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament (August 12-16), taking the lead in the Grand Chess Tour standings from Caruana.<ref>{{Cite web |last=West (NM_Vanessa) |first=Vanessa |date=2024-08-16 |title=2024 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz Day 5: Firouzja Wins STL Rapid & Blitz, Seizes GCT Lead From Caruana |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/saint-louis-rapid-and-blitz-2024-day-5-firouzja-wins |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Chess.com |language=en-US}}</ref> On August 28, he clinched first place in the Sinquefield Cup, which secured him victory of the Grand Chess Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-28 |title=Sinquefield Cup: Firouzja secures GCT victory, keeps 1-point lead |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/sinquefield-cup-2024-8 |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Chess News |language=en}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==Notes==
*{{Fide}}
{{notelist}}
*[https://www.365chess.com/players/Alireza_Firouzja Alireza Firouzja] chess games at 365Chess.com
*{{chessgames player|id=152702}}
*{{chess.com player|firouzja2003}}
*[https://lichess.org/@/alireza2003 Alireza Firouzja] player profile at [[Lichess.org]]


==External links==
{{authoritycontrol}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{FIDE}}
* {{Chess.com player|alireza-firouzja|member=Firouzja2003}}
* {{Chessgames.com player|152702}}
* {{lichess.org player|alireza2003}}
* {{365Chess.com player|Alireza_Firouzja}}
* {{Twitter|AlirezaFirouzja}}


{{French chess grandmasters}}
{{FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament}}
{{List of Iranian refugee and immigrant athletes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Firouzja, Alireza}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Firouzja, Alireza}}
[[Category:2003 births]]
[[Category:2003 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chess grandmasters]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Babol]]
[[Category:Chess Grandmasters]]
[[Category:Chess Olympiad competitors]]
[[Category:Chess Olympiad competitors]]
[[Category:French chess players]]
[[Category:Iranian chess players]]
[[Category:Iranian chess players]]
[[Category:People from Babol]]
[[Category:Iranian emigrants to France]]
[[Category:French Twitch (service) streamers]]
[[Category:Naturalized citizens of France]]
[[Category:Defecting sportspeople from the Islamic Republic of Iran]]
[[Category:Iranian refugees]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Iranian descent]]

Latest revision as of 05:24, 14 December 2024

Alireza Firouzja
Firouzja in 2024
Country
  • Iran (until November 2019)[1]
  • FIDE (December 2019 – June 2021)
  • France (since July 2021)[2][3]
Born (2003-06-18) 18 June 2003 (age 21)
Babol, Iran
TitleGrandmaster (2018)
FIDE rating2763 (January 2025)
Peak rating2804 (December 2021)
RankingNo. 7 (January 2025)
Peak rankingNo. 2 (December 2021)

Alireza Firouzja (Persian: علیرضا فیروزجا, pronounced [æliːɾeˈzɒː fiːɾuːzˈdʒɒː]; born 18 June 2003) is an Iranian-French chess grandmaster. Firouzja 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.

A chess prodigy, Firouzja won the Iranian Chess Championship at age 12 and earned the Grandmaster title at 14. At 16, Firouzja became the second-youngest 2700-rated player. In 2021, at 18, he won the FIDE Grand Swiss tournament and an individual gold medal at the European Team Chess Championship. In 2022, Firouzja won the Grand Chess Tour. He qualified for the Candidates Tournament in 2022 and 2024.

Firouzja left the Iranian Chess Federation in 2019 because of the country's longstanding policy against competing with Israeli players.[4][5] Firouzja played under the FIDE flag until mid-2021, when he became a French citizen and began representing France, where he had already been living.

Early and personal life

[edit]

Firouzja was born on 18 June 2003 in Babol, Iran.[6] He started playing chess at the age of eight.[7] He has an older brother, Mohammadreza (born 1998), who also plays competitive chess.[8]

Firouzja moved to Chartres, France, in 2019 and subsequently obtained French citizenship in July 2021.[2][3] As of May 2023, Firouzja is studying fashion design in Paris.[9][10]

Chess career

[edit]

2015–2017

[edit]

Firouzja won the gold medal in the U12 section at the Asian Youth Chess Championships held in 2015 in Suwon.[11][12] In adult tournaments, one of Firouzja's earliest successes was in the 10th Nana Aleksandria Cup in 2015, held in Georgia. In a strong field with 15 grandmasters, Firouzja finished with 5/9, including a victory against grandmaster Vugar Rasulov and four draws against four other grandmasters. He had further successes in the Iranian chess championship semi-final, an unbeaten 7/9 (+5-0=4), which served as a qualifier to the main championship held the following year. He then took part in the strongest open tournament held that year, the Qatar Masters 2015, in which he scored 4½/9, including victories against grandmasters Pavel Tregubov and Neelotpal Das.

At the age of twelve, he won the 2016 Iranian Chess Championship, scoring 8/11 points (+5−0=6), a full point ahead of his nearest competitors, and became the youngest ever to win the title.[13]

These results in the Iranian championship semi-finals, the Qatar Masters and the Iranian championship increased Firouzja's rating to 2475 at age 12 years and 7 months.

Later that year, he played in the Asian Nations Cup for Iran in which he scored 5½/7 on board 4 and a notable draw against grandmaster Wei Yi, who was at that time the youngest supergrandmaster in the world. Firouzja then experienced some subpar results.

In August 2016, the Iranian chess federation scheduled a match between 13-year–old Firouzja (2485 FIDE) and then 16-year-old Parham Maghsoodloo (2510 FIDE). Firouzja lost all three games.

Firouzja played in the Stars Cup 2016, an initiative by the Iranian chess federation which pitted the nation's established top players and its new wave of rising stars against some of the strongest grandmasters in the world. Featuring such notable players as Nigel Short, Evgenij Miroshnichenko, Gabriel Sargissian, Aleksey Dreev, Romain Édouard, Ivan Sokolov, Lu Shanglei, and Jaan Ehlvest, it was Firouzja's first major test against such calibre of opposition and he scored 2/10, though he did score a victory over Miroshnichenko. Firouzja also played in his first Olympiad for Iran on the fourth board and finished with 4½/8.

Also in 2016, he was awarded the title International Master (IM) by FIDE.[14]

In February 2017, Firouzja finished tied for 3rd place (6/9) in the Khazar cup, behind the winner, Ferenc Berkes. In April 2017, Firouzja had his best performance to date when he scored 6/9 in the Aeroflot Open 2017, a tournament of about 80 grandmasters, including several players in the top 100. There, he scored victories over German grandmasters Alexander Donchenko, Matthias Blübaum and Falko Bindrich and also beat grandmasters Emilio Córdova and Maxim Vavulin. This result secured Firouzja a grandmaster norm and a TPR of 2746, his highest rating performance until then.

In June 2017, he had a 7/9 performance at the Asian Junior U20 Championship. This result took him over the 2500 rating threshold for the first time. Later that year, the 2nd Stars cup tournament took place in Iran, again with an impressive list of foreign grandmasters: Baadur Jobava, Loek Van Wely, Alexei Shirov, Lázaro Bruzón Batista, Eltaj Safarli and Ivan Sokolov. Firouzja scored 3½/6 (+2-1=3), beating Jobava and Van Wely. His victory over Jobava was particularly notable as it was 13-year–old Firouzja's first victory over a supergrandmaster (Jobava was rated 2714 at the time).

2018

[edit]
Firouzja in 2018

In January 2018, he had a string of impressive results in the Iranian chess championship semi-final (7½/9) and the World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad (8/9), which increased his rating to 2549.[citation needed]

In February 2018, he participated in the Aeroflot Open. He finished 40th out of 92,[15] scoring 4½/9 points (+2−2=5),[16] earning his final norm required for the title Grandmaster (GM) in the process.[17] He was awarded the GM title by FIDE in April 2018.[18]

Firouzja took part in the 2018 Malaysian Open, tying for second place behind winner Wang Hao. In the same month, he took part in the World Junior Chess Championship held in Gebze, Turkey, finishing with 7½/11.

In July 2018, Firouzja represented Iran at the Asian Nations Cup, held in Hamadan. Iran won all three open events, and Firouzja was the top individual performer in the classical event with 6/7.[19]

At the 2018 43rd Chess Olympiad, he played on the fourth board, scoring 8/11 (+6−1=4).[20]

He won individual gold at the 2018 World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad, with a score of 8/9 (+7−0=2; 2736 performance rating).[21]

At the 2018 World Rapid Championship held in Saint Petersburg, Firouzja finished in sixth place in a field of world-class players, behind Daniil Dubov, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Hikaru Nakamura, Vladislav Artemiev and Magnus Carlsen. Starting as the 169th seed in a tournament of 206 participants, Firouzja scored 10/15 (+8−3=4) with a performance rating of 2848, the second-highest in the event, behind winner Dubov.[22] At the World Blitz Championship, he placed 42nd out of 150 with a score of 12/21 (+10−7=4).[23] He led the field by a clear point after 7 rounds with 6½/7, but his form faltered after losing to the eventual winner Carlsen in round 8.[24]

2019

[edit]

2019 was a significant year for Firouzja as he managed to make a rating leap from 2618 in January to 2723 in December. Firouzja won the Iranian Chess Championship for a second time in 2019, finishing in clear first with 9/11 (+7−0=4).[25]

A string of impressive results would follow. In February, Firouzja took clear 1st place, with 7½/9, in the strong Fajr Cup held in Tehran, Iran, ahead of notable grandmasters such as Pavel Ponkratov, Sergey Volkov, Yuriy Kuzubov, Sergey Fedorchuk, and the best Iranian player of the previous generation, Ehsan Ghaem Maghami. Later that month, he played in his third Stars Cup. This time it had a reduced field of four grandmasters: Safarli, Tiviakov, Bosiocic and Alekseev. It was played in a double round-robin format. Firouzja finished undefeated (+3-0=5).

In March, he competed in the World Team Chess Championship with Iran. He scored 7/9 points (+6−1=2), and Iran placed sixth out of ten.[26] This series of consecutive results increased his rating to 2657 in the April 2019 rating list and he broke into the world top 100.

Later in May, he participated in the 3rd Sharjah Masters. He tied for 1st–7th on 7/9 (+5−0=4), placing fourth on tiebreak. Ernesto Inarkiev won the event.[27] In April, Firouzja competed in the Chess.com Bullet Chess Championship, losing in the quarterfinals to the eventual winner Hikaru Nakamura.[28] Later in April, Firouzja placed second on tiebreak behind Constantin Lupulescu in the Reykjavik Open with 7/9 (+6−1=2). During the event's rest day, he won the European Fischer Random Championship with 8/9 (+7−0=2).[29]

Firouzja competed in the Grenke Chess Open, held from 18 to 22 April. He won his first two games but refused to play against the Israeli FIDE Master Or Bronstein in the third round, thus forfeiting the game. This was in line with Iranian government policy, as Iran does not recognise the state of Israel and sanctions players who compete against Israelis. Firouzja then lost in the fourth round to 1945-rated Antonia Ziegenfuss.[30] He won his remaining five games to place 27th with 7/9.[31] In May, Firouzja faced Peruvian grandmaster José Martinez-Alcantara in round one of the 2019 Junior Speed Chess Championship, an online blitz and bullet competition hosted by Chess.com. Firouzja won the match with an overall score of 18–7.[32] Later in May, he competed in the French Rapid and Blitz Championships, held in Le Blanc-Mesnil. He won the rapid event by defeating Alberto David in the final.[33][34]

Firouzja in 2019

In June, Firouzja took part in the 18th edition of the Asian Chess Championship, held from 6 to 16 June in Xingtai. He finished the tournament in sixth place with 6/9 points (+5−2=2). Though only the top five were set to qualify for the Chess World Cup 2019, Firouzja narrowly qualified for a spot in the World Cup as 1st-placed Lê Quang Liêm and 5th-placed Rinat Jumabayev had already qualified in previous events.[35] He later finished fourth in a Blitz event held on the final day of the tournament with 6½/9 pts (+6−2=1).[36]

Firouzja represented Tatvan in the Turkish Super League from 17 to 28 July. He scored 11½/13 (+10–0=3), thus increasing his rating to 2702.[37] This made Firouzja the first Iranian to reach a rating of 2700 or above.[38] It also made him the youngest player in the world rated 2700 or more, and the second youngest player in history (after Wei Yi) to achieve that feat.[39][40]

At the FIDE World Cup in September, Firouzja defeated Arman Pashikian in round one and Daniil Dubov in round two. This made Firouzja the first Iranian player to reach the third round of a Chess World Cup.[41] In round three, he faced the number-one seed Ding Liren. Firouzja drew with Ding in the two classical games, but lost both of the rapid tiebreakers and was eliminated from the tournament.[42]

On 27 December, Firouzja announced that he would no longer play under the Iran chess federation after Iran withdrew its players from the 2019 World Rapid and Blitz Championship to uphold their ban against Iranians playing against Israelis. He instead competed as a FIDE-licensed competitor.[39][1] Firouzja competed in the World Rapid Chess Championship from 26 to 28 December. He finished the tournament as runner-up with 10½/15 (+8–2=5), one point short of winner Magnus Carlsen. He was the first-ever Iranian-born grandmaster to go on a podium in the history of the competition.[43][44] At the World Blitz Chess Championship held from 29 to 30 December, Firouzja placed sixth with 13½/21 (+12–6=3).[45]

2020

[edit]

Firouzja participated in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in January.[46] He became the first Iranian to compete in the Masters' bracket of the tournament; Parham Maghsoodloo had previously competed in the 2019 Tata Steel Challengers. This was the first time that Firouzja faced the world elite in a classical round-robin tournament, and he said in an interview that his expectations were not oriented towards winning the event, but gaining more experience at the top level.[47] He finished with 6½/13 (+4–4=5), placing ninth.[48]

In February, Firouzja competed in the Masters section of the Prague International Chess Festival, a 10-player category XIX round-robin event, as a late replacement for Wei Yi, who could not attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[49] After a tie for first–fifth on 5/9, Firouzja won the tournament with a 2–0 blitz tiebreak victory over Vidit Gujrathi, giving him his first "supertournament" victory.[50]

On 15 April, Firouzja faced Magnus Carlsen in the final of the Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup and won 8½–7½.[51] Firouzja then competed in the Magnus Carlsen Invitational, a rapid tournament held by Chess24 from 18 April to 3 May, along with Carlsen and six other top players. Carlsen defeated Firouzja in their match by a score of 2½–1½. Firouzja placed sixth overall and did not advance to the four-way playoff.[52]

In October, Firouzja participated in the annual Norway Chess supertournament, in Stavanger. The tournament was held with a football scoring system (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss). In the case of a draw, players played an armageddon game for an additional 1/2-point. Firouzja finished in second place, behind World Champion Magnus Carlsen and ahead of Levon Aronian, Fabiano Caruana and Jan-Krzysztof Duda.[53] By the standard scoring method, Firouzja's score of 4 victories, 1 loss and 5 draws would have been enough to tie for 1st place, but Carlsen's extra points from wins in the armageddon segment relegated Firouzja to second place. His performance rating for the event was 2880.[citation needed]

2021

[edit]

Firouzja participated in the 83rd Tata Steel Masters in January. Going into the final round of the tournament, Firouzja had the chance to tie for first with a win in his final game. However, due to the tournament's tiebreaker rules, he would be unable to compete for first place even if he finished with the same number of points as the tournament's leaders. In his final round matchup against Radosław Wojtaszek, the arbiters suggested mid-game that the two move to a different table, irritating Firouzja. The situation generated controversy and the event organizers ultimately apologized.[54][55] The game ultimately ended in a draw, and Firouzja placed fifth in the tournament with a score of 8/13 (+4-1=8), level with Andrey Esipenko and Fabiano Caruana on points who finished third and fourth, respectively. He had a 2806 TPR for the event and went up to number 13 in the world rankings.[56]

In June Firouzja participated in the Paris Rapid and Blitz, part of the Grand Chess Tour. He performed poorly in the rapid, scoring 7/18, but scored 11/18 to finish second to Wesley So in the blitz.[57]

Firouzja applied for and obtained French nationality in July 2021.[2][3]

He was the 8th seed at the Chess World Cup 2021, but was knocked out in the second round by Javokhir Sindarov.[58]

In September, Firouzja finished in second place in the Norway Chess supertournament 2021 edition, behind Magnus Carlsen, but ahead of a field including World Championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi and former challenger Sergey Karjakin.[59] He scored +5-2=3 in standard time control games, finishing with four consecutive wins, and moved into the world's top 10 for the first time in the October 2021 rating list (10th in October, 9th in November).

In November Firouzja participated in the 2nd FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament.[60] Firouzja won the tournament with a score of 8/11, half a point ahead of Fabiano Caruana, thus qualifying for the Candidates Tournament 2022. He became the fourth-youngest player to qualify for a Candidates Tournament.[61]

That same month Firouzja represented France in the European Team Chess Championship, where he scored 8/9 against grandmaster opposition for a tournament performance rating of over 3000.[62] The two November results took his rating above 2800 for the first time, and to number 2 in the December standard ratings list.[63] At the age of 18 years, 166 days, he became the youngest player to be rated over 2800, breaking the previous record of 18 years and 336 days held by Magnus Carlsen.[64]

After winning the World Chess Championship 2021, Magnus Carlsen said: "If someone other than Firouzja wins the Candidates Tournament, it is unlikely that I will play the next world championship match."[65]

From 29 to 30 December, Firouzja also participated in the World Blitz Chess Championship, where he tied for first place with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Jan-Krzysztof Duda, scoring 15/21 points. He finished in third place after the tiebreaks, won by Vachier-Lagrave.[66]

2022

[edit]

In May, Firouzja participated in the Superbet Chess Classic held in Bucharest, Romania, the first leg of 2022 Grand Chess Tour. As the top seed going into the event, he finished with a -1 score with 1 win and 2 losses in the 10 player single robin super tournament, tying for 7th place with Ian Nepomniachtchi. He lost the third round to Nepomniachtchi, won the fifth round against Leinier Domínguez and lost the final round to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who went on to win the tournament.[67]

From 16 June to 5 July, Firouzja participated in the 2022 Candidates Tournament held in Madrid, Spain, having qualified to play by winning the Grand Swiss in 2021. He finished in sixth place, ending with a 6/14 score, winning against Richárd Rapport in round 9 and Fabiano Caruana in round 14 while losing against Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura and Nepomniachtchi (twice).[68]

From 18 to 24 July, Firouzja participated in the Croatia GCT Rapid & Blitz where he tied 2nd overall – behind Magnus Carlsen – alongside compatriot Maxime Vachier-Lagrave with 22/36 points – earning him $27,500 and 9 GCT points for his second-place finish.[69] Firouzja did not play in the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai, along with Vachier-Lagrave and Étienne Bacrot, citing exhaustion and hot weather.[70]

From 15 to 21 August, Firouzja played in the FTX Crypto Cup as part of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour. He finished with 15/21 points, behind first-place finisher Magnus Carlsen and tying for second alongside Praggnanandhaa on points but placing third due to tiebreak rules. His third-place finish with 15 points earned him $37,500.[71]

From 26 to 30 August, Firouzja participated in the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament as part of the Grand Chess Tour and won first place with four rounds to spare. Firouzja finished with 26/36 points (11/18 points in the rapid section and 15/18 points in the blitz section),[a] setting the record for the youngest player to win a Grand Chess Tour event and breaking the record for the most dominant win by being 5 points ahead of the field.[72]

On 11 September, Firouzja won the Sinquefield Cup, a 9[b] player round robin tournament, after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi in a rapid tiebreak match.[73] He finished with a score of 5/8 (+3-1=5) [c] and his Sinquefield cup victory in Saint Louis earned him $87,500 alongside his $100,000 bonus for winning the Grand Chess Tour with a 6½ point lead ahead of runner-up, Wesley So. [d][74][75]

On 16 September, Firouzja finished tied first on points, alongside Fabiano Caruana, with 6½/9 in the Champions Showdown:Chess 9LX – a rapid chess 960 tournament. On the verge of scoring a hat-trick in Saint Louis,[e] Firouzja eventually lost the playoff against Caruana after losing the armageddon game, stumbling into a zugzwang with the black pieces.[76] His second-place finish earned him $31,250.[77]

2023

[edit]
Firouzja in 2023

In May, Firouzja participated in the Superbet Chess Classic in Bucharest, eventually finishing tied for second, ending up with a +1 score, losing two games and winning three, including one over then recently crowned world champion Ding Liren and the runner up in the 2023 World Chess Championship, Ian Nepomniachtchi. On 29 May, Firouzja participated in the Norway Chess Blitz tournament, finishing second behind the Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattorov. In June, Firouzja participated in the Norway Chess Classical Tournament, losing the first round to Indian Gukesh Dommaraju, but winning the next two rounds against Azerbaijani Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Abdusattorov.

In December, Firouzja became the subject of controversy after organizing a tournament titled "Alireza Firouzja's Race to Candidates" with several lower rated players (Sergey Fedorchuk, Andrei Shchekachev, and Alexandre Dgebuadze), allegedly with the sole purpose of gaining enough rating points to leapfrog Wesley So for the rating qualification spot for the 2024 Candidates Tournament.[78][79][80] Firouzja finished with a score of 5.5/6, failing to surpass So.[81] He later surpassed So after playing in the Open de Rouen, securing his spot in the Candidates with a perfect score of 7/7 and a victory over former FIDE World Championship finalist Gata Kamsky.[82]

2024

[edit]

Firouzja competed in the Tata Steel Masters in January. He placed fifth with 7½/13 (+5–3=5).[83] At the 2024 Candidates Tournament in April, Firouzja finished in seventh place. He won two games, and lost six. He was the only player to defeat the winner, Gukesh D. On June 13th, Firouzja won the Bullet Chess Championship on Chess.com by defeating American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in the final.[84]

On August 16, Firouzja won the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz tournament (August 12-16), taking the lead in the Grand Chess Tour standings from Caruana.[85] On August 28, he clinched first place in the Sinquefield Cup, which secured him victory of the Grand Chess Tour.[86]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Barden, Leonard (27 December 2019). "Chess: Iran's Alireza Firouzja, 16, bypasses ban on playing Israelis". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Alireza Firouzja est désormais français !". echecs.asso.fr/. Archived from the original on 8 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c McGourty, Colin. "Alireza Firouzja is now the French no. 1". chess24.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  4. ^ staff, T. O. I. "Iran's top chess player wants to 'change his nationality' over Israel ban". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  5. ^ Doggers, Peter (6 December 2020). "Iran Pressured By FIDE For Issues With Israeli Players". www.chess.com. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
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Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ There were 9 games of rapid chess and 18 games of blitz chess. 2 points are available for each win in a rapid game and 1 point is available for each win in a blitz game
  2. ^ One of the participants, Magnus Carlsen withdrew from the tournament after round 3 which caused all of his games to be annulled.
  3. ^ 3 wins, 1 loss, 5 draws. 3 wins against Levon Aronian, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Wesley So and 1 loss against Ian Nepomniachtchi.
  4. ^ Firouzja finished with 36½ points, ahead of second place Wesley So on 30 points and third place Maxime Vachier-Lagrave on 29 points.
  5. ^ Firouzja had already won the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz, and the Sinquefield Cup in the weeks prior to the start of this tournament. Chess 9LX would have been his third consecutive tournament win in Saint Louis, not counting his victory in the Grand Chess Tour.
[edit]