Organizers of the Grand Chess Tour published an explanation of the medical issue that caused French GM Alireza Firouzja to miss round 4 of the GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026. Organizers state that Alireza suffered an ankle injury, and say that Firouzja will continue playing in the tournament from a special room.

Grand Chess Tour

Grand Chess Tour

Tournament Organizers

“After the 3rd round, Alireza Firouzja suffered an ankle injury. Fortunately, the ankle wasn’t broken or fractured.

After consulting with his team and the organizers, he has decided to continue the tournament in a special room with the agreement with his opponents in the presence of an arbiter.

Alireza Firouzja will play vs. Javokhir Sindarov in the 5th round of the GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026.”

Alireza Firouzja did not show up for his game against American GM Fabiano Caruana on May 17. The game will not be included in the final standings or in the FIDE rating calculation.

The GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026 takes place from May 14 to 23, at the National Bank of Romania, Bucharest. French GM Alireza Firouzja is in last place in the standings after 3 rounds.

Credit: Lennart Ootes