- Grandmaster Pouya Idani officially transferred from Iran to France, becoming France’s fourth-ranked player
- The 30-year-old cited broken promises and unpaid bonuses from the Iranian Chess Federation as contributing factors to the move
- Idani moved to Brest with his wife in April 2023 and now holds a French residence permit
- His transfer represents a significant blow to Iran’s chess program, which has been a dominant force in Asia
Iranian Grandmaster Makes Official Switch to France
Grandmaster Pouya Idani has officially completed his transfer from Iran to France, marking another notable change in the competitive landscape of international chess. The 30-year-old, who was Iran’s third-highest-rated player at 2615, is now France’s new number four on the FIDE rating list, behind Alireza Firouzja, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Etienne Bacrot.
FIDE confirmed the federation switch last week, with a registered transfer fee of €3,500. Idani’s move comes three years after he relocated to Brest with his wife, establishing roots in the northwestern French port city.
Unpaid Bonuses and Broken Promises
In an interview with Chess.com, Idani explained that while his decision reflected the life he had built in France, financial and administrative failures from the Iranian Chess Federation played a significant role in the transfer.
“I don’t think anybody, at the beginning, wants to change his federation,” Idani said. “However, a lot of stuff happened in the past few years. There were promises by the federation that were not fulfilled, bonuses that were not given. So, in the end, I feel I was forced into it.”
Idani reached a career-high rating of 2647, placing him among Iran’s three highest-rated players over the past decade. He won the World Under-18 Championship in 2013 and achieved his grandmaster title the following year. In 2023, he was part of the Iranian team that claimed victory at the Asian Games, alongside Amin Tabatabaei, Parham Maghsoodloo, Bardiya Daneshvar, and Amirreza Pour Agha Bala.
Building a Future in Europe
Idani’s relocation to France was motivated by both family considerations and professional opportunities. His wife gained acceptance to a university in Brest, while the European location offered enhanced prospects for his chess career.
“My wife applied for university and got accepted here in Brest, and it also felt better for my career to be in Europe,” he explained. “It is easier to get invitations to different leagues and easier to play in open tournaments.”
The couple’s daughter was born shortly after their arrival in April 2023. Idani currently holds a French residence permit and intends to apply for citizenship once eligible. “I am planning to stay in France and I am happy to represent a country I am going to live in,” he said. “If they need help in any way, I will do my best with that.”
Support from Local Community
Idani’s integration into French chess was facilitated by Reza Salami, an Iranian-born French politician and city councilor in Brest with deep connections to the local chess community. The two first met when Idani played for a Brest team in France’s second division in 2019.
“Mr. Salami invited me, and ever since then we have been very good friends,” Idani recalled. “However, since my wife got accepted in Brest, it was just a happy accident to come here. Immigration is tough, and it was nice to have a friend to help us.”
Salami has also been instrumental in assisting other Iranian players seeking to establish themselves in France, including efforts to help Iran’s top two grandmasters, Tabatabaei and Maghsoodloo, navigate the country’s immigration system.
Brest Emerges as Hub for Iranian Chess Players
The northwestern French port city has become an unexpected destination for prominent Iranian chess figures. WGM Mitra Hejazipour relocated to Brest following her participation in the 2019 World Rapid and Blitz Championship, where she competed for Iran without a headscarf.
More recently, Iran’s two top-ranked grandmasters arrived in the city. Tabatabaei, now world number-15, and Maghsoodloo, ranked world number-31, have both been assisted by Salami in their efforts to settle in France. Their presence in Brest, however, has been complicated by immigration challenges. Tabatabaei was initially refused a residence permit and ordered to leave within one month, though Salami indicated the decision would be contested. Maghsoodloo’s residence permit application remains pending.
Neither player has publicly indicated plans to change federations, and Tabatabaei remains listed on Iran’s team for the upcoming Chess Olympiad.
A Significant Loss for Iranian Chess
Despite Idani being the only player from this generation to formally switch federations, his departure represents a meaningful setback for Iran’s chess program. The country had established itself as one of Asia’s strongest chess nations through a gifted generation of young players. Idani’s transfer, combined with the presence of other top Iranian players abroad, underscores the challenges facing the nation’s chess federation in retaining and supporting its talent.
The French Chess Federation has not responded to requests for comment regarding Idani’s transfer. Idani will not make his French debut at the upcoming Chess Olympiad, as the team selection had already been finalized. He is listed as immediately eligible to represent France in all FIDE events under the terms of his transfer agreement.