Pouya Idani is an Iranian chess player who achieved the title of Grandmaster in 2014. Born on June 29, 1995, in Rasht, Iran, Idani was initially introduced to chess through a computer game at the age of nine. He showed a natural aptitude for the game from a young age, becoming an International Master by the age of 15 and the Iranian champion by the age of 16.
Idani competed in his first World Youth Chess Championship in 2010, where he placed sixth. He returned to the competition the following year, winning the event and becoming the first Iranian player to do so. He also won the 2014 Asian Junior Chess Championship held in Sri Lanka.
Idani's rise to Grandmaster level was largely facilitated by his performances at several international tournaments. His performances at the Kish Persian Gulf Cup led to him being awarded the Grandmaster title, and his performance in the Khazar Cup allowed him to achieve his first Grandmaster norm in 2014.
Today, he is one of the best-known players in Iran, and also a member of the national team. Idani is known for his aggressive and tactical style of play. Despite his success, he remains relatively low-profile, preferring to focus on his game rather than publicity. He currently studies sports science at university.