16 years old defeats Magnus Carlsen in blitz

A 16-year-old Iranian chess master has outshone the defending World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen in the final of Banter Blitz Cup this week.

Alireza Firouzja, a grandmaster who has recently moved to France, defeated the Norwegian mega brain 8.5-7.5 in the final of the online quickfire knockout contest on April 14 — where players must comment verbally on their moves, and their opponents, during the game — to claim the $14,000 prize, chess24.com reported.

“Good game Alireza. I was way out of shape, but he deserves full credit. I’ve just got to be better, but he is amazingly strong. Full credit,” Carlsen said. In turn, Firouzja said he had prepared thoroughly for the final. “The only thing I think about all day is chess, so maybe it’s all day,” the Iranian teenager said.

After 7 months and 131 matches, the series of three-minute games involving 128 contestants wrapped up in a final clash between the defending world champion, who did not take a back seat to anyone since 2013, and the Iranian grandmaster. There will be a chance for revenge on April 20 when they play again in the Magnus Carlsen Invitational.

Magnus Carlsen is World Champion in classical chess, in rapid, and in blitz. But Alireza Firouzja is also a ferociously strong blitz player and in the past, he has successfully challenged Carlsen in a couple of bullet tournaments.