Alireza Firouzja is an Iranian-French chess player, currently living in France. He is heralded as a chess prodigy and holds the status of a Grandmaster, the highest title a chess player can achieve. According to the World Chess Federation (FIDE), Firouzja first entered the rankings as a Grandmaster in February 2018, at the young age of 14.
Birth and Early Life
He was born on June 18, 2003 in Babol, a city in Iran. His father introduced him to chess when he was eight years old. By the age of nine, he had competed in his first national chess championship and won the Iranian Under-12 championship.
Ending Ties with Iran Chess Federation
Firouzja ended his tie-up with Iran Chess Federation in December 2019 due to the Federation's complications with FIDE and subsequently moved to France and started competing under the FIDE flag.
Championships and Competitions
Firouzja became the Iranian chess champion at the age of 12 and then the second-youngest grandmaster globally at 14. He has participated in several high-level tournaments, such as the World Blitz Championship, King Salman World Rapid & Blitz Championships, and Tata Steel Chess Tournament. He has accumulated several victories and top finishes that have secured his place among the top-rated chess players globally.
Style of Play
Firouzja has earned a reputation for his aggressive playing style and ability to rapidly calculate numerous potential future moves. His style has drawn comparisons to iconic players such as Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov.
Rating and Ranking
Achievements