Two Iranians Face Off in Grand Swiss: Maghsoodloo Defeats Firouzja

Tehran - BORNA - Speaking after the game, Maghsoodloo expressed both joy at his victory and mixed feelings about competing against a former teammate. “It feels amazing. I’ve won all my games so far, and winning in this tournament means a lot to me. Last year was very difficult, my ranking dropped badly, but here I feel I’ve managed to prove myself again. This is the best feeling possible,” he said.

On playing Firouzja, he added: “It was a bit sad because he used to be my compatriot. We worked together for years and shared many experiences, but now he represents another country. Still, I feel the same sense of brotherhood toward him. I like him very much, and it was tough to play against him.”

Reflecting on the match itself, Maghsoodloo highlighted a turning point: “When Alireza made that move, I immediately felt I could push further. Initially, I was thinking of playing c5, but then I saw a brilliant line and continued. I think f3 was also a key move.”

Maghsoodloo also credited his support system: “I can play chess for 10 to 20 hours straight if needed. I really feel the support of my wife and my professional assistant, who are working with all their strength to keep me in top shape, and I’m grateful for that.”

The all-Iranian duel on Swiss soil underscored the continued impact of Iranian talent on the global chess stage, with both Maghsoodloo and Firouzja seen as among the strongest players of their generation.

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