Young French GM Marc’Andria Maurizzi Shines at Djerba Chess Festival with Stunning Performance

Young French GM Marc’Andria Maurizzi has taken the chess world by storm with his stunning performance at the Djerba Chess Festival. The 17-year-old grandmaster, seeded only ninth in the tournament, delivered a masterclass by winning six games and drawing three to finish on an undefeated 7.5/9 and an astonishing 2898 rating performance.

Maurizzi’s victory was sealed after defeating GM Bassem Amin in round eight, but he didn’t stop there. In the final round, he went on to beat GM Volodar Murzin with the black pieces, solidifying his dominance in the tournament.

“I am very happy to win the tournament and gain 40 rating points,” Maurizzi expressed his excitement about his performance. “I did not expect this, for sure. It’s crazy that I didn’t lose a single game.”

The young grandmaster, hailing from Corsica, has long been regarded as one of France’s brightest talents. In 2021, he became the youngest-ever grandmaster in France at the age of 14. Maurizzi’s recent rating fluctuations have seen him drop to 2576 in December 2024, but his stellar performance in Djerba has propelled him to a new career-high of 2621.

With aspirations to reach a rating of 2700 this year, Maurizzi’s determination and skill were on full display at the Djerba Chess Festival. His tactical prowess and strategic gameplay left spectators in awe as he outplayed seasoned grandmasters and rising stars alike.

The Djerba Chess Festival, organized for the fifth time, provided a platform for players to showcase their talents in a competitive environment. Maurizzi’s triumph serves as a testament to his dedication to the game and his unwavering pursuit of excellence in chess.