Alireza Firouzja Triumphs at Titled Tuesday: A Stellar Return to Form

Alireza Firouzja Dominates Titled Tuesday with Stellar Performance

July 28, 2026 – In a thrilling display of chess mastery, Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja returned to the Titled Tuesday tournament and clinched victory with an impressive score of 9.5 out of 11. This win marks Firouzja’s first triumph of 2026, following a successful 2025 where he secured four victories.

The tournament, held on Chess.com, saw Firouzja showcase his skills by achieving seven consecutive wins from rounds four through ten. His only setback came in round three against Lithuanian International Master Gleb Pidluznij. However, Firouzja quickly rebounded, finishing the event with a quick draw in the final round, solidifying his lead.

Firouzja’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he finished ahead of a competitive field, including six players who ended with nine points. Among them was GM Arjun Erigaisi, who secured second place based on tiebreaks.

Tournament Highlights

The excitement of Titled Tuesday was palpable, with 18 players initially maintaining perfect scores. By the end of round six, only three remained unscathed: GMs Jeffery Xiong, Liem Le, and Ihor Samunenkov. In a dramatic seventh round, Xiong managed to turn the tables on Le, who seemed poised for victory, ultimately leading to a smothered mate that left spectators in awe.

As the tournament progressed, Samunenkov briefly held the lead, but Firouzja’s relentless pursuit saw him claw back into contention. After defeating GM Alexey Sarana in just 30 moves, Firouzja set up a crucial clash with GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda in the tenth round. In a nail-biting finish, Firouzja capitalized on a blunder from Duda, allowing him to take the lead with only one round remaining.

In the final round, Firouzja faced GM Pranav V, where a strategic draw secured his victory. Pranav’s earlier win against Erigaisi allowed him to finish third, while Erigaisi took second place after a hard-fought battle against GM Pranesh M.

Final Standings and Prizes

The tournament concluded with Firouzja at the top of the leaderboard, earning a prize of $2,500. Erigaisi and Pranav followed closely, taking home $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. The event also featured various prizes for outstanding performances, including a $250 award for the top woman, WIM Melika Mohammadi, and a $250 prize for the top youth player, GM Sina Movahed.

Looking Ahead

With the next Titled Tuesday on the horizon, players will be eager to challenge Firouzja’s dominance. The stakes are high, as the bounty for achieving a perfect score continues to grow, now reaching $2,500. As the chess community eagerly anticipates the next installment, one thing is clear: Alireza Firouzja is back and ready to reclaim his spot at the top.

For full standings and details, visit Chess.com.