Firouzja Wins Banter Blitz

Alireza Firouzja is only 16, but he's rapidly making a huge name for himself. Last year he became the second-youngest player to reach 2700 (Wei Yi was the first), finished second in the World Rapid Championship, and was in the running for the World Blitz Championship until a crazy loss on time against Magnus Carlsen derailed him (he still finished a very impressive sixth). And this year he won the Prague International Chess Festival in a playoff in one of the last OTB events before the coronavirus put an end to that.

That Firouzja is able to play against Carlsen and at even the fastest time controls was already clear - he beat Carlsen in a marathon bullet match a couple of weeks ago, 103.5-90.5, and on April 15 - this past Wednesday - he did it again. The final of the Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup was a nail-biter, with neither player ever more than a point ahead. Going into the final game, the score was 7.5-7.5. If it finished in a draw, there would be a two-game playoff, but a win by either player would end the match. Carlsen has ranked among the all-time greats when it comes to clutch situations, but on this occasion it was the youngster who came through. Firouzja won the game and the match, and is making it increasing clear that there's a new sheriff in town - or at least a deputy on the fast track to sherriffhood.

Games and the full tournament bracket here.