Firouzja Wins Croatia Super Rapid and Blitz in Zagreb as Carlsen Marks 15 Years at the Summit

Alireza Firouzja won the Croatia Super Rapid and Blitz, a Super Rapid and Blitz tournament organised by St Louis, in Zagreb. The 23-year-old French grandmaster entered the final day with a commanding lead but stumbled in the closing rounds before sealing the title via an Armageddon tie-break. News of the result was reported on 10 July 2026.

Firouzja’s Path to the Title

Firouzja built a substantial advantage heading into the last day of the event. A late sequence of poor results, however, saw him manage only two points from seven games in the final stretch, allowing the chasing pack to close the gap. The Frenchman ultimately held on after the tournament moved to an Armageddon tie-break, where he secured the victory and the top spot on the podium.

The Croatia Super Rapid and Blitz formed part of the St Louis-organised rapid and blitz calendar, with Zagreb serving as the host city for the competition.

A Career of Near Misses

Firouzja’s latest trophy adds another chapter to a career marked by precocious talent and frustration in the most prestigious events. The Iran-born player once became the youngest-ever 2800-rated player, achieving the milestone at 18 years and five months old. Despite that early distinction, he currently sits at world number 12 in the rankings, a position widely regarded as a disappointment given his early promise.

His struggles have been most visible at the Candidates Tournaments, the elite qualification event for the World Championship. In 2022, his chances were undermined by late-night blitz sessions during the event. In 2024, he finished seventh out of eight players, an even weaker showing. Determined to return to the Candidates, Firouzja made a serious push to qualify in 2025, hiring the late Daniel Naroditsky as his coach ahead of the Grand Swiss in Samarkand. The campaign ended in disappointment, however, as he finished third in a tournament where only the top two earned qualification spots. The bronze-medal podium at the victory ceremony was left conspicuously empty.

Carlsen’s Milestone

While Firouzja celebrated in Zagreb, the headline of the week belonged to Magnus Carlsen, who passed a 15-year milestone at the top of the world rankings. The Norwegian has held the number-one position continuously since first reaching it, cementing his status as the dominant figure of modern chess.

Looking Ahead

The Croatia Super Rapid and Blitz result provides Firouzja with a measure of redemption after several difficult seasons. Whether the victory marks a turning point in his quest for a Candidates berth, and a return to the very top of the rankings, remains to be seen. For Carlsen, the 15-year anniversary at number one underlines an era of sustained excellence that shows no immediate sign of ending.

Key Highlights

• Winner: Alireza Firouzja
• Event: Croatia Super Rapid and Blitz
• Location: Zagreb
• Format: Super Rapid and Blitz
• Organiser: St Louis
• Decider: Armageddon tie-break after Firouzja scored 2/7 in the final rounds
• Carlsen: passes 15-year milestone at world number one

Source

This report is based on information published by The Guardian — Chess.

Official source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jul/10/chess-firouzja-wins-in-zagreb-as-carlsen-passes-15-year-milestone-at-the-top