Firouzja wants to change his nationality over Israel ban

[Wayne Komer]

Firouzja wants to change his nationality over Israel ban

December 24, 2019

From The Times of Israel

16-year-old Alireza Firouzja, world no. 2 for his age group, has been held back due to Tehran’s policy of refusing to face Israeli competitors in international sports

Iran’s top ranking chess player is reportedly seeking to renounce his citizenship to get around the country’s policy of not competing against Israeli athletes.

Mehrdad Pahlavanzadeh, the president of the Iran Chess Federation, told the Tasnim news agency that Alireza Firouzja wanted to participate in an upcoming tournament in Russia that Tehran has decided not to take part in because Israelis will be competing.

“Firouzja has made his decision and has told us that he wants to change his nationality,” Pahlavanzadeh was quoted saying by Reuters.

“Firouzja is currently living in France … and may want to play under the French or US flag,” the chess federation head added.

Firouzja, 16, is no. 2 in the International Chess Federation’s rankings of junior players.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-...er-israel-ban/

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chess24.com - Alireza Firouzja plays the World Rapid Championship in Moscow in two days' time, but no longer under the Iranian flag!

[Wayne Komer]

Firouzja wants to change his nationality over Israel ban

December 27, 2019

From The Guardian

At the age of 15 Firouzja was named by America’s speed specialist Hikaru Nakamura as one of the top threeone-minute bullet chess players in the world, alongside himself and Carlsen. GM Ivan Sokolov, the 2018 Iran coach, compared Firouzja to the young Vishy Anand for his speed of thought and predicted that he can become world champion.

Leonard Barden

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...zja-ban-israel

[Hans Jung]

Firoujza will be a great addition to the American or French scenes and I hope it happens.

[Alex Ferreira]

Hi.
It's disgusting what Iran is imposing on their players. Politics are politics, which are bad enough. But sport should be set aside.

I don't understand why USA is a consideration, if the youngster is living in France. Then again USA and Uncle Rex are in the business of purchasing players from the world's producing farms, so...
The way players can just change federation, and requirements to do, are pathetic.
Some players keep changing federation... I don't understand it.
Alex F.

[Hans Jung]

Lenier Dominguez had to sit out at least two years and I believe it was politics. I think you have to judge each case individually. It would be a shame if Firoujza would have to not play any length of time. Uncle Rex and what he is doing for chess including "purchasing" players makes me very happy. Hope he keeps doing it.