Dutch GM Anish Giri commented on his game against French GM Alireza Firouzja in round 3, and on Alireza not being able to play in round 4 at the GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026. Anish says some games can be highly nervous, and notes that Alireza fell before the 4th round of the tournament.

Anish Giri

Anish Giri

Dutch GM

“There are certain games where by the end you’ll get into a highly neurotic state because of all these turmoils.

And by the end of our game, Alireza and I were both very shaky. And then I heard he even fell…

I heard it wasn’t so bad, at least. This is kind of crazy. I hope he’s going to be fine!”

French GM Alireza Firouzja did not show up for his game against American GM Fabiano Caruana in round 4 of the GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026 on May 17. Organizers of the Grand Chess Tour published an explanation and cited a medical issue as the reason.

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, and Dutch GM Anish Giri is tied for 2nd place.

Credit: Lennart Ootes