The updated participants list for the 2025 FIDE World Cup raised eyebrows across the chess world. One of the most notable omissions is Alireza Firouzja, the French-Iranian grandmaster once seen as the heir to Magnus Carlsen’s throne. His absence has fueled speculation and disappointment, not least because it almost certainly ends his hopes of qualifying … Continue reading Why Did Alireza Firouzja Quit the 2025 FIDE World Cup?