Firouzja withdraws from remainder of Grand Chess Tour 2026 due to schedule clash with Esports World Cup

7/29/2026 – Alireza Firouzja has withdrawn from the remainder of the 2026 Grand Chess Tour after choosing to compete in the Esports World Cup in Paris, whose dates overlap with the Sinquefield Cup. His tour points have been annulled and contractual penalties will apply, while Samuel Sevian will replace him in Saint Louis. Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave faced the same clash but retained their Grand Chess Tour commitments. | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour