Alireza Firouzja defeated the Norwegian 8.5-7.5 in the final of the online quickfire knockout contest — where players must comment verbally on their moves, and their opponents, during the game — to claim the $14,000 prize.
After 7 months and 131 matches, the series of three-minute games involving 128 contestants ended in a final between the world champion since 2013 and the rising superstar.
And after losing the 90-minute contest, Carlsen paid his respects to the teenager, calling him “amazingly strong.”
“Good game, Alireza! That was really horrible, I just was way out of shape, but he deserves full credit,” the 29-year-old said on the livestream.
“I’ve just got to be better, but yeah, he’s amazingly strong! Full credit.”
Firouzja was gracious in victory.
“I think the match was 50:50,” said the teen, who is ranked the world’s no.21 player. “I don’t think I was favorite or he was favorite … you should be a little lucky.”
Chess fans won’t have to wait long to see a rematch between the pair, as they face off once again on April 20 in the $250,000 Magnus Carlsen Invitational.
