Chennai Grand Masters | Firouzja thrives after injury setback
Chess grandmaster Alireza Firouzja is competing in the Chennai Grand Masters following a successful recovery from an ankle injury. He discussed his approach to the game, his performance in recent tournaments, and the physical demands of professional chess.
Why it matters
It highlights the career trajectory of a top-tier chess player and the physical challenges faced by elite athletes in the sport.
Alireza Firouzja made heads turn at last month’s Norway Chess – playing his matches bound to a wheelchair after hurting his ankle in a fall. Despite the difficulties, he took third spot in Oslo and later won the Grand Chess Tour title in Zagreb.
He is now in the city for the Chennai Grand Masters and has got off to the best possible start - with World champion D. Gukesh being the victim in round two.
“I had to do a lot of physio, but it was not broken... it was just twisted,” the Frenchman said ahead of the tournament.
The 23-year-old, who is rated very highly by the World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, said he tried to keep things simple and set a goal in every tournament he plays.
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