American GM Fabiano Caruana shared his impression of the game against French GM Alireza Firouzja in an unusual setting. Caruana says it was a weird experience, describes the tournament situation, and notes that he had a high fever at the start of the tournament.

Fabiano Caruana

Fabiano Caruana

American GM

“This was a very weird experience. To actually play in the hotel room… At the start it felt like we were playing casual chess. It had kind of the vibes of a World Championship Match. Except my opponent was on the bed, in a cast. I just feel sorry for Alireza that he can’t continue the tournament. It’s just unfortunate.

It was maybe not my best game. From a tournament situation, I needed to win not to fall behind others. But it doesn’t leave me anywhere because Vincent is plus three right now. It’s very far…

The last few days I’ve been really sick, so I stopped thinking about the tournament, for the most part. I was in bed for 14 hours a day and then came to play. And then it got progressively worse. So, when I heard the news that Alireza wasn’t playing the next day, when I was supposed to play him, and I would have a rest day, there was a bit of relief. Because it was really bad. I had such a high fever…

But now I’m starting to feel a bit more myself. I don’t have energy, but at least I’m not really sick.”

Alireza Firouzja played against Fabiano Caruana in a special room, lying on a bed due to an injured ankle. The game took place on the rest day of the GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026 on May 19.

The GCT Super Chess Classic Romania 2026 takes place from May 14 to 23, at the National Bank of Romania, Bucharest. Fabiano Caruana shares 3rd place after 6 rounds.

Credit: Lennart Ootes