"Gukesh and Pragg are more focused than me!" - Alireza Firouzja

After Alireza Firouzja scored a scintillating win against Abasov in the 11th round of FIDE Candidates 2024, we caught up with him and spoke to him about his performance, his wins at the event, his losses, tweets and what he thinks about the participants who are younger than him.
Video: ChessBase India
#Chess #ChessBaseIndia #alirezafiroujza #fidecandidates
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[@saraswathiserene8142]

Sagar Shah is a very good interviewer.

[@soxnation1000]

Yes, he asked all the questions I wanted to know!

[@harshittiwari3169]

Sagar bhai's interview skills are top notch! He is great with the way he asks questions and makes the person being interviewed comfortable.

[@rajsampat2112]

True bhai

[@poorni4742]

We support Alireza 🎉

[@ImBatman408]

This guy gives me wholesome vibes but I see hateful comments towards him all the time

[@hobbytalksstudies9083]

Absolutely true...

[@haniigg]

Indians love to hate on him

[@running5850]

I don't see hate but I do see legitimate criticism of him. For example at 4:30 in this video he calls the arbiter unprofessional when what really happened is the arbiter very professionally and politely asked him to walk a little more softly because Alireza was making excess noise while pacing and as a result was disturbing other players, who were complaining about it. Instead of just saying OK Alireza started unwarranted drama on Twitter and insulted and misrepresented the arbiter.

[@haniigg]

​@@running5850 for buddy no hate keep telling urself that

[@SD-in2mv]

@@running5850I think the issue is that the arbiter did this in the middle of his game and could be argued was factor in missing a crucial move. Now I’m not sure whether that is actually the case or if he would’ve missed g6 regardless. That’s essentially Alirezas argument. The reason I’m more inclined to agree with you is because another player complained to the arbiter, so arguably that noise could’ve had an impact on other people’s concentration as well.

[@onghock377]

Alireza is a likeable genius and may the chess world treasure him and not lose him. Regards from Singapore

[@LunnarisLP]

well i treasure and like him less since he used pretty unconventional, if not to say underhanded methods to push his FIDE rating by farming his fellow frenchmen to overtake Wesley So. Of course its understandable that everyone wants to be at the candidates, but yeah just rubbed me the wrong way.

[@absidyabsidy2727]

@@LunnarisLPthose games didn’t count anyway, he won a strong open tournament to qualify

[@smangal1308]

Such a humble and genuine person, Alireza is

[@user-xb2jh1bu6i]

After so many match he remembers the all lines

[@vattevineeth4567]

Alireza seems like a chill dude! My respect towards him has greatly increased after watching this interview.

[@sarathipaul7909]

Didn't like Ali much but after this interview, I can see his innocence coming through. He'll come back surely.

[@erwinjoseph5361]

A FARMER doesn't belong in the Candidates

[@sonnygreen1396]

Great interview, but I think you missed the end of his quote in your title. "They are more focused than me... on chess." He was talking about how they devote more of their time to chess and specifically classical chess.

[@brodaism]

Indian players have only one thing to worry about, that's chess. I don't think Alireza has proper mentors around him. Too many distraction around him, moving from Iran to France, fashion statements, dad creating mess with FIDE and so on..

[@SK-hs4fp]

In this interview he came across as a much more likeable person that I'd imagined him to be.

[@ads5446]

So basically the incident with the arbiter happened at move 20 where he had to took with Bishop instead of Knight, which was a monster piece in the middle of the board. That move could have change entierly the game dynamic. It's important that arbiters understand these mental state of players and do all the necessary to not distract them

[@rupanjanabhattacharya6018]

Ok this completely out nowhere but Firouzja is too cute!!

[@prashanttripathi970]

He is surely going to have World Championship in future!

[@Philiopantheon82]

Not put high hopes on that i would say

[@Soroush5436]

And i say shut up ​@@Philiopantheon82

[@ajitkaliya]

He said to his father that he doesn't want to play chess anymore

[@omingole7304]

​@@ajitkaliya really? So, he's retiring?

[@avonray9147]

​@@ajitkaliya I tell people that I want to quit my job after every bad day at work, do you really think that actually means anything?

[@ravivaradhan4956]

This is a nice interview which made me appreciate the sweet nature of Alireza. He is a genuine commodity. It's easy to tell that he enjoys playing the game a lot more than simply clamoring for prizes. While Pragg and Gukesh have great professionalism towards the game, I worry that they may burn out a lot sooner.

[@thebondgx]

It seems he is a good chap...

[@JT11111]

Its crazy how he is so self aware yet for some reason he is fine with it, for example he knows Pragg and Gukesh are more focused, yet he is fine with them overtaking his level of chess, its good to be relaxed towards things, but too relaxed will have unrepairable damage, best of luck to him and I hope he gets his motivation and focus back one day before its too late

[@farzein4002]

As MC said about Dr John Nuns, that once one is more talented beyond a certain threshold then you can never become WC. And for simple reason, as so many things become equally attractive to one and one just cannot resist. Chess is beautiful but so are many other things. Plus his style ( mainly middlegame ) is the reason people are so impressed by him.

[@B-fq7ff]

why is that crazy? Anyone who is truly self aware knows that there's no point in tormenting themselves with feelings like guilt and shame

[@JT11111]

@@B-fq7ff you completely missed the point, which is that a young athlete going into their prime should not be letting anyone their age overtaking them, and yet he knows he is getting overtaken and doesnt bother doing anything about it, its a mentality thing, Alireza doesnt have the mentality

[@spghose2437]

At least Vaishali is back...Vidit missed the move with the knight was hearbreaking

[@dealsman]

Great interview and Alireza is a very likable person.

[@cjh-bk4pn]

praying he will return to his 2021 form

[@draken8767]

I don't care about the haters of Ali, Ali always offers fun games, because in the end of the day, it"s a game and a game should alawys be fun. That's the chess that I like and I think that"s whay Magnus got bored of Classical format(it is getting boring with the preparations and start to lack intuition). Dubov also plays this interesting chess missed him tbh.

[@rakid123]

what a nice humble player !

[@anoukadel6397]

What a nice interview, you are always so friendly and understanding. It seems like the players are opening up to you.

[@farzein4002]

He is interviewing AF since AF was 12 years old. Then Alireza was representing Iran on table one in Olympiad. So Sagar knows about the background situation.

[@Praximacent]

On the outside, he is showing such a positive attitude which is inspiring.

[@ron2473]

Allireza has not lived upto his potential, hope he bounces back

[@David_7171]

The arbiter lied about the time he had on clock.

[@sambasivanganesan8595]

Sagar. Your interviewing skills are improving by the day. You showed a lot of empathy here. ❤❤❤

[@raindrups]

Brilliant interview

[@HUMANAI3]

Great interview I feel bad for Alireza hope he sticks on the grind and is back in the next candidates

[@trickogamerx6081]

Alireza not in his prime form right now

[@TheMrBennito]

He has a keen awareness, for instance Gukesh and Pragg they prefer to play classical chess. I am not crazy about blitz and rapid, its a chess circus. Classical chess forever!

[@HussainYasseen]

ALIREZA IS THE BEST

[@prasannadhopate8513]

2.24: Anand suggested this line in live broadcast!

[@hobbytalksstudies9083]

I am the first to comment for the first time in my life, well... It is great to know alireza's views on his own game. Hats off to Sagar Shah and the title of the video😂. Like my comment if you agree with me.

[@hobbytalksstudies9083]

When I liked this video it was 76 now I just completed my comment and I saw 85 likes . Just realised it can be so fast.

[@ayonbanerjee1566]

Congrats bro 💯 💪 👏

[@okh527]

Itni faltu ki baate kyon krte ho bhai

[@hobbytalksstudies9083]

​@@okh527 I am sorry if you felt like it is nonsense well it is my first time and it is so wonderful for a 12 year old you know..

[@hobbytalksstudies9083]

​@@ayonbanerjee1566 Thanks

[@cmc2110]

True about Pragg, he always goes for solid games and he rarely attacks. That’s why he doesn’t win lots of games against top players or lose

[@oceanic2484]

Alireza lowkey looks like KR$NA

[@deadlyninja8391]

same ancestory. Indians-Iranians have more or less same ancestory. Especially North West Indians.

[@NajdorfSicilian-fv3ok]

again yeah, the indian bias just ruins what he was trying to say. he is saying they are more focused towards classical chess while is not focused only on one time format. as a broadcaster or information, you should tell the whole line, that he says gukesh and prag are more focus than him in classical. dont just change the meaning of what he is trying to say yk its not a good influence ..

[@Mathematica1729]

Its a clickbait like any good youtube video.

[@fyroboi2053]

Clickbait is very common not only in Indian chess , gothamchess and Anish are also examples

[@sumitdutta7043]

Its CLICKBAIT dude so that all of Indians will click the video.

[@Your_real_dad]

He's young prodigy like guku and pragg but from last year he's doing very poorly. Hope he comes back truly strong anD we witness various humble matches from him .

[@EliL-se3bh]

Great interview! Alireza needs a better team to support him. The indians hire GM and has positive people around them. With right support,Alireza will do better.

[@ashish431990]

Sagar bhai is a gem of a person ❤❤...The way you made Alireza comfortable speaks volumes.

[@ayonbanerjee1566]

Definitely all the Indians played very well in the candidates but after today's losses of vidit and pragg, its only gukesh who has real chances of qualifying for the WC

[@amirnathoo4600]

Alireza very much remains a contender for the world champion title. What’s important to note as he mentioned is that he played all kind of chess, rather than focusing on classical exclusively like the other players. So he is at a disadvantage right now..but being a generalist in your field pays off later, as you grow and acquire range of experiences rather than deliberately specializing. We saw this in some of his games in the tournament. The other factor is also cultural. I am both Indian and French, and I know performances and push for achievements and perfection are handled very differently between the two upbringings.

[@jimbotimes]

Yes!

[@RiyaUmang]

India’s default is competitive. If you aren’t best in your field then probably 10 others are in line to replace you. If it would’ve not been for Gukesh, Prag would have sprinkled some kind of magic, hence the difference in upbringing/mindset/achievements. As for being a generalist, I politely disagree with your statement especially in reference to chess. It is not going to help him in the long run because someone will always be there who specializes in that particular format. Also mostly all of classical chess champions triumph in every format of the chess - Vishy, Carlsen, Kasparov, etc. I believe, for Indian players it is mostly discipline that distinguish them from others.

[@amirnathoo4600]

@RyaUmang I didn’t grow up in India so I can’t really tell what’s it like being a teenager there. You are correct about competitiveness but there are many ways to handle this when raising kids. My parents while they push me hard to study were also very nurturing. They never required that I’d be 1st of class or always win at every competition I participated. And that part is from growing up in Europe where parents tend to be more relaxed. Being competitive at a young age can put tremendous pressure on the kids. Gukesh said he wanted to be the youngest chess world champion…How much of that really came from him and how much was the result of some form of pressure? We can’t tell. I am routing for him though. He can be an inspiration for many kids!

[@nabanitasaha7941]

After yesterday i stop expecting anything from vidit and pragg.. They are just overconfident.. Hikaru is on fire in last half.. I think hikaru and nepo has the best chance to win the candidates.. They are unbeatable

[@glenrocha3377]

Any chance Gukesh can break youngest 2800? Or not enough time and tournaments for him to play in. If not I believe Alireza will hold that title for a while

[@namratasinghchandelchandel6480]

Hikaru be like- e4 d5 kfs rd6 kd7 a8 kg3 Qg3 f4 Bd9 h3………. It was so ezeeeee

[@okh527]

Gawk gawk gawk

[@incredulous-]

Dogs bark forever

[@incredulous-]

Ask him to beat vidit

[@fookat5313]

😂😂😂vidit is in villan arc of hikaru won 2 game against hikaru Lost 2 game against nepo

[@user-xj6ke6gw7f]

The fight is between nepo gukesh and hikaru For others tournament is over

[@prakhyatsingh263]

Well pragna and caruana have some chance in previous year last rounds changed many standings

[@ritikrai4607]

Finally he realized i guess

[@farzein4002]

It won't change him and it's good. Tal is immortal and no one utters Botinivik.

[@saadati]

Alireza is an amazing player. His games are never boring. He could benefit from have a good coach or mentor to work with him on some discipline and also on time management.

[@solomono.a.1062]

I think he needs a mentor to train him on how to focus on and play classical chess. If this Ali guy adds focus to his chess skills he will be unbeatable

[@Luckysss237]

Sagar said that you scored decisive game😂😂😂😂

[@thickskin6835]

Gukesh, pragg, arjun, alireza, nodirbek. These 5 are the best imo out of newer generation. Personally i think nodirbek is the strongest of this lot. What do others think I wonder?

[@gamerwala.8416]

Niceeee

[@sniper-rr2xz]

Alireza proved in the past that he can beat anyone, even Magnus. But this tournament he lost his focus

[@pauljoseph3081]

Alireza's manufactured tournament is paying off, big time - *just in time* 💀

[@LaggardInLove]

Chess players are class apart!

[@tianledeng6179]

Somehow Firouzja's interviews are always the best. He is so candid and chill, and gives good insights.

[@greenvlog]

I like chess from Indonesia 😅😅😅

[@Mathematica1729]

I like Indonesia from chess

[@zaheenop2007]

😂​@@Mathematica1729

[@rabri-ghewar]

I dont like chess and i am not from Indonesia

[@startupeco2257]

Alireza cannot be solid coz he's an artist not an engineer. He's of Tal and Fischer nature. I hope he a bit will adjust his playing style to the fact that players today are more looking for winning and championship, if he also wants consistent results. He can beat everyone on demand, literally.

[@pravintilekar4941]

Alireza : I like to play interesting games, meanwhile Kramnik..hmm.

[@Corteum]

Alireza needs to take up meditation. That's what Gukesh, Pragg, Vidit, and other Indian players are starting to do regularly.

[@farzein4002]

Bad idea.

[@Corteum]

@@farzein4002 Not acording to the science. Do some homework before spreading ignorantis

[@farzein4002]

@@Corteumrepeat, bad idea. He shouldn't worry too much about performance enhancing stuff. It's slippery slope. He is already making most ( after MC) bucks. 1- Grand Chess Tour 2- Online Chess Tour 3- Freestyle chess tour. In addition to participation fees in various tournaments (i.e. Tata, Norway Chess). Plus he is moody player. And I do not know if he has a regular trainer.

[@Corteum]

@@farzein4002 Not a bad idea if y ou do your homework. There are over 10 thousand studies proving its efficacy for a wide range of benefits. You obviously havent looked properly. Learn to use a search engine.

[@brodaism]

Indian players have only one thing to worry about, that's chess. They have a an academy, individual coach and a team. There is Anand overlooking all of them and coming up with a road map. I don't think Alireza has proper mentors around him. Too many distraction around him, moving from Iran to France, fashion statements, unethically organizing own tournaments, his dad creating mess with FIDE and so on..

[@MagicSmoke11]

Great Player.All the very best to my Persian friend ❤ from INDiA

[@risa5118]

He is cute

[@Frisia-]

back to 2600

[@raju9769]

Alireza u r the prince of the chess

[@kshunya]

ok, he is a good guy :/

[@sniffableandirresistble]

He's so bothered by being harrassed. By the way the sound of expensive shoes on polished wood floors is like a symphony to anyone with a modicum of class and distinction. ❤

[@farzein4002]

And it wasn't even playing area. He was walking in players' area.

[@chessgangster8358]

first

[@Thevkgamer4926]

1st view like and comment ❤

[@ES-Sam]

Pls pin me

[@sahilverma7045]

Muh se tambaku nikal kar baat kar re baba!!! 😗😐😗😐😗😐😗😐😗

[@fivenightsatfreddys9369]

yes they're more focused bcos they don't create noises with their shoes

[@hurmetnoka9434]

What a clown, giving away points to everyone

[@lOmaine777]

he gave 1.5 points to nepo, fabi, naka and just 1 point to gukesh, it didnt even matter

[@abhinav05]

shut up

[@AdvancedMath]

Alireza is a "crybaby". He's creating drama with his father and over his shoes in this tournament, and he's done similar things in the past. I remember one incident where he complained to an arbitrator that Magnus was speaking Norwegian during the match, which turned out to be a false claim.

[@Mohanchand_84]

This shameless vidit is just a big choker because of him gukesh lost the lead.

[@Shiva_Real]

now 300 elo rating passing judgement to GM

[@user-mx5wl1kx6l]

But vidit had opportunity to drew this game,,

[@sabujdutta-9561]

Only one being absolutely shameless is you…..

[@AstitvaMishra-ed6fg]

Firstly it was a tournament where everyone was playing for themselves. In that case gukesh shouldn't rely on vidit's win. If he wanted the lead he should have played well against alireza. So stop being a toxic fan and a crybaby. Lastly if vidit is a bad player you go and play against nepo. Ohh sorry you can't even defeat a 1300.

[@AstitvaMishra-ed6fg]

​@@Shiva_Real😂