After winning his first game of the final match against Anish Giri in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League at the Friends House, Alireza Firozha asked his coach: “When is the next game?”
The enthusiasm of the Iranian-born Frenchman was understandable. He was on the icon board for Triveni Continental Kings scoring many victories. He lost to Giri in the return match, but it did not matter. His team won that match and the final against PBG Alaska Knights.
Firouzja, rated as the best player of the young generation by five-time world champion and world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, is a former world No. 2. He remains the youngest to reach 2,800 Elo points; He broke Carlsen’s record in 2021. He is now ranked world number 7 with 2767 Elo points. Part:
You literally came in as a last minute replacement for the Triveni Continental Kings and became the star artist on the icon board…
I feel happy. I wanted to help my team.
You did not play in the inaugural edition of the Global Chess League, so this is your first edition. Your thoughts on the incident?
We don’t have that many team events in the calendar. So I’m glad I attended here. It was kind of a last minute thing, but everything worked out in the end. And I liked season one. I was watching from home. It was a good one. I remember a few things from last season.
Such as…
The way Levon Aronian played (for the Continental Kings, my team). And the final was very exciting.
The league got better this year with the arrival of Hikaru Nakamura and you…
Yes, the tournament has become bigger and tougher now. I like the fact that it comes out in London. It’s good for chess in England.
What are your thoughts on eliminating time control increments altogether? Do you think this is a good innovation?
I think it is suitable for this tournament. This is very exciting. You still have to take good steps. But I think the audience likes it, although sometimes we players may get in trouble because of it. but I like it. But I think the entertainment factor is good for chess.
Despite the disappointment at the Candidates Tournament, you’ve had a good year so far.
Yes, I think it was a good year after some ups and downs. I managed to win the Grand Chess Tour. I could have done a little better in Candidates. But you should learn from it and move forward. And I tried my best. The Candidates Tournament is very complicated. Anything can happen.
A few years ago, Magnus Carlsen said that he would defend his title only if you became his challenger (after winning the candidates). How did you feel when he said that?
I liked it. People say that this will increase pressure on me, but I took it very positively. He respects my game. But I also respect his game a lot.
What is your earliest memory of chess?
One of my fondest memories about chess is joining our local chess club in Babalo, Iran. This is where I was born.
So how did you get into that chess club?
There was a chess board in our house. My brother and I were playing all the time. One day, it was summer season. We checked out football, gymnastics. And then we went to play chess. I loved chess. And we proceeded from there. You preferred chess to gymnastics and football.
What do you remember from those club days?
I spent a lot of time there. I’ll wait until my school is over so I can go to the club.
When did you really get serious about pursuing a career in chess?
I think it was when I was 10 or 11 years old. My coach in that chess club was very professional.
Any particular coach you remember who you are grateful to?
Yes, I had a coach, Mr. Abbasi. He is a very good coach. He is still coaching there. The coaches advised my parents that I should continue chess.
In 2019, you scored 105 points to touch the 2,700 Elo mark.
I was working a lot, so I expected it. I knew I would reach 2,700 one day.
Then in 2021, you crossed 2,800, breaking Carlsen’s record as the youngest player to reach the magical figure. Only 14 players have done this in history.
I am very happy to be one of them. It was a very special feeling because reaching 2,800 in your lifetime is a goal.
You took a year off from chess to study fashion designing in Paris…
I had been playing chess continuously for 11 or 12 years. I wanted to have some social life. I liked it a lot. I think, it helped me a lot. But now my focus has again shifted to chess.
What made you gravitate towards fashion?
I always liked it. When I was 10 or 11, I was collecting sneakers. I always kept an eye on the fashion shows in Paris. I have many friends in the fashion industry.
So can you design some clothes in the future?
Yes, maybe, yes.
How are you looking forward to the world title match between Ding Liren and D. Gukesh?
I think Gukesh is a big favorite now. But Ding has experience, so you shouldn’t underestimate him.
So wouldn’t you dismiss him, like some players do?
I don’t think you can write him off. It is not professional to write him off.
So do you think it could be a match?
Yes it can be.
What about your own aspirations as far as the world title is concerned? How are you looking forward to playing in the world title match?
Now I mostly think about becoming number 1 in the world. This is my biggest goal. For a World Championship, you sometimes have to be a little lucky.
Especially for the Candidates Tournament…
Yes, and the Candidates Tournament happens every two years. And only one player qualifies. And in those two weeks, you don’t have to get sick, you have to be in the best physical condition. So I think the most important thing is to reach number one, to become the best player in the world.
What factors do you think would have helped Gukesh win over the candidates this year?
I think India has a very good structure for chess. There is a lot of support for Indian youth. Then Vishwanathan Anand is there, he has an academy there. And he’s providing coaches for them and things like that.
You are part of an exciting young generation in chess. How do you see the future of the game?
Yes, there are some very good players around the world. So I’m hoping it will be exciting, at least as exciting as the last generation.
(The correspondent is in London on the invitation of Tech Mahindra)
published – October 14, 2024 11:58 PM IST