French GM Alireza Firouzja explained how he was able to continue playing in the GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026 after an ankle injury. Alireza says he does not want to miss the remaining games of the tournament, and explains that he followed the doctor’s recommendations.

Alireza Firouzja

Alireza Firouzja

French GM

“Fortunately, you can play chess lying on the bed. So, I just wanted to play more because we have six nice games ahead.

We went to the doctor, and the doctor said that if the conditions were right, and I could stay in bed with my leg up the whole time, I could play. Then the question was whether the organizers would be able to handle it all and whether the players would accept it.

Then I had to make a decision and I thought: ‘I have six good games ahead and it would be very unfortunate to just go home now and not play them’.”

French GM Alireza Firouzja played against Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov in a special room, lying on a bed due to an injured ankle. The game took place in round 5 of the GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026.

The GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026 takes place from May 14 to 23, at the National Bank of Romania, Bucharest. Alireza Firouzja holds last place after 5 rounds.

Credit: Lennart Ootes