French GM Alireza Firouzja explained why he will miss the upcoming FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 in an interview with The Indian Express on January 2. Alireza stated that the FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 2025 meant more to him than a path to the Candidates and that he dislikes the Chess World Cup 2025 due to its format.

Alireza Firouzja

Alireza Firouzja

French GM

“I wouldn’t say I tried my best to qualify for the Candidates. I didn’t try hard enough for the circuit as well, and I also didn’t play the World Cup.

For the Grand Swiss, I simply like the event. I’m a fan of these Swiss tournaments, 11 rounds. I felt it was a good tournament in itself, rather than just a path to the Candidates.

The World Cup is too long a tournament. Playing chess every day for a month is not something I like. Whichever tournament I like… I play. I’m not the biggest fan of the World Cup’s knockout format. If another tournament with a Candidates spot had a format I liked, I would have participated. It’s just that I don’t like such a long tournament. Very simple.”

French GM Alireza Firouzja (2759) is the youngest player to breach the 2800 rating at the age of 18 years and 5 months in late 2021. Alireza participated in The Candidates in 2022 and 2024 finishing 6th and 7th out of 8.

Credit: Lennart Ootes