World range-four GM Alireza Firouzja has been mysteriously inactive in the last year with remarkably several match appearances. In a unusual, new job interview, the teen verified rumors about him trying to get an alternative vocation.
Firouzja, the Iranian-born French teenage prodigy hailed as a foreseeable future successor to the chess throne, has not played a one over-the-board tournament considering that September. His previous party was his remarkable double victory in St. Louis, profitable the Quick & Blitz occasion and Sinquefield Cup, his only classical party because the Candidates, previous July.
The 19-year-previous had a disappointing end result in the Airthings Masters 2023, wherever he qualified for the knockout stage, but was then overwhelmed convincingly by GM Arjun Erigaisi.
While Firouzja occasionally shows up in Titled Tuesday tournaments, his followers are remaining mystified as to why the young star has been so inactive. Now the teen has, for the first time, shared an clarification.

Talking to chess streamer WFM Alessia Santeramo before an online match versus GM Praggnanandhaa R., Firouzja verified rumors that have been circulating for a even though:
A job in fashion layout. Considerably cryptically, he responded to the rumors:
“Of course, I was in this industry for two many years now. It’s sort of a really serious factor. It can be enhancing each working day and, certainly, it’s variety of a serious job.”
Much more specifics on the extent of his new profession, or how a great deal this influences his chess, is not however distinct, but Firouzja extra:
“It truly is getting time from my chess, but I like to have both items alongside one another.”
The young star does not intend to conclude his chess vocation just nevertheless. Firouzja also disclosed that he will be far more lively in the next section of 2023, actively playing in the Grand Chess Tour and in Norway Chess, which is established to get spot in May possibly. The rest of the field in these situations is nevertheless to be declared.
Chess.com achieved out to Firouzja for comment but is nevertheless to receive an reply.
It would not be the 1st time a top chess player has experienced a career outdoors of chess. GMs Magnus Carlsen and Alexander Grischuk are amongst the chess stars playing poker actively.
A number of other players have also supplied up professional chess, possibly partly or entirely, to chase careers in other fields. One example is GM Gata Kamsky, who experienced an eight-12 months crack from chess commencing when he was 22 and was rated sixth in the entire world in 1996, getting up legislation university.
French GM Joel Lautier, who peaked 15th in the earth, retired from his chess career in 2006 to turn out to be a businessman.
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