Injured Alireza Firouzja Plays Super Chess Classic Round 5 From Bed

by Devansh Singh - 19/05/2026

Have you ever seen a professional chess player playing in an over-the-board tournament while lying down in bed? After suffering an ankle injury after the 3rd round at Super Chess Classic, Alireza Firouzja decided to skip the 4th round against Fabiano Caruana. However, he came back stronger in the 5th round against Javokhir Sindarov and played the game from a bed, as he was unable to walk. The organisers provided a special room next to his hotel room so that he could play in there in the presence of the arbiter. Alireza could have decided not to play rounds anymore, but the love for this game is unreal. The 6th round will start on 19th May at 4 PM Local Time/ 6:30 PM IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes

What a Fighter

Alireza Firouzja is a big fighter. He decided that he would continue even after the injury. The organisers ensured that Alireza could play on. They booked a room adjoining his in the same hotel, and in the 5th round, Firouzja and Sindarov played the game in a crazy setting. Alireza had to ensure that his leg was at a specific angle to avoid the situation from aggravating. An arbiter sat in the room observing the game. Firouzja was worse with the white pieces, but he fought on and held the World Championship Challenger to a draw! The game lasted for well over 5 hours. Hats off to Alireza's fighting spirit and his love for chess! Truly a champion!

Alireza Firouzja and Javokhir Sindarov are playing in a hotel room | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

There is a story worth mentioning. It was about Tony Miles at the Interzonals in Tilburg, 1985. He had severe back pain, and therefore, the tournament doctor allowed him to play lying horizontally. He tied for the 1st place after playing some of his games from a massage table.

Tony Miles at Tilburg 1985

Mikhail Tal and Bobby Fischer

Another similar story worth mentioning was the famous photo of Mikhail Tal in the hospital during the FIDE Candidates 1962, and Bobby Fischer visiting him, and together they analysed chess.

Check out how the chess world is reacting to this

Anish Giri on Alireza: "Poor guy, and such a hero for continuing playing! I really thought it was a perfect opportunity for him to call it a day. But he's really a hero, for the love of chess!"

Check out the games!

In the 5th round, all 5 games ended in a draw. Alireza survived a tough position against Javookhir Sindarov, and Vincent Keymer drew against Anish Giri to keep his sole lead. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave drew against Jorden van Foreest, Bogdan Daniel Deac drew against Fabiano Caruana, and Praggnanandhaa missed his chances against Wesley So, and the game also ended in a draw. The postponed Round 4 game between Firouzja and Caruana has not yet been played and is scheduled to take place during the tournament’s free day at 4 PM.

Alireza Firouzja vs Javokhir Sindarov (0.5-0.5) | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

MVL vs Jorden van Foreest (0.5-0.5) | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

R Praggnanandhaa vs Wesley So (0.5-0.5) | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Vincent managed to draw with black pieces against Anish to keep his lead | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Bogdan Daniel Deac drew against Fabiano Caruana | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Replay Round 5 Games

Pairings and Results

Round 5 Results | Graphic: Grand Chess Tour

Standings after Round 5 | Graphic: Grand Chess Tour

Round 6 Pairings | Graphic: Grand Chess Tour

Photo Gallery: ChessBase India, GCT

Elisabeta Lipa, the most decorated rower in the history of the Olympics, who won 5 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medals, made the ceremonial move. | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Romanian Rowing Team | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Jan Smeets, Peter Leko, and Tereza Pribanova in front of the Bank of Romania, Bucharest | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

The Arbiter is present there during the game from the hotel room | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Vincent is still in the lead with 3.5/5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Fabiano Caruana is going to play his game against Firouzja on the rest day | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

What a click by Lennart

Video Gallery: ChessBase India

Line Up

Check out the Line-up: Here | Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Graphic: Grand Chess Tour

A spectacular start to the in Bucharest. Watch the amazing opening ceremony featuring the world’s top chess stars and unforgettable moments | Video: ChessBase India

Schedule

Prize Fund

The total prize fund for each of the Classical Events shall be Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000), which shall be distributed as follows:

Source: Official Site

Format and Time Control

10-player Round Robin
90 minutes for 40 moves, and 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move 1.

Point System

1 point for a win, ½ point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss in all games.

Venue: National Bank of Romania Museum

Housed within the stunning Old Palace in Bucharest’s historic Lipscani district, the National Bank of Romania Museum offers a captivating journey through financial history. Visitors can explore one of the most significant numismatic collections in Central and Eastern Europe, featuring rare gold coins, antique banknotes, and the legendary National Treasure.

National Bank of Romania | Photo: Grand Chess Tour