Dutch Dominance: A Thrilling Round 3 at the Super Chess Classic Romania 2026

Dutch Dominance at Super Chess Classic Romania

Bucharest, Romania – It was a day to remember for Dutch chess fans as Grandmaster Jorden van Foreest delivered a stunning victory over GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac in the third round of the Super Chess Classic Romania 2026. Meanwhile, a critical slip by GM Alireza Firouzja allowed GM Anish Giri to join Van Foreest at the top of the leaderboard, creating a thrilling five-way tie for first place.

The round began with a tense atmosphere, as many anticipated a series of draws. However, the Dutch duo of Van Foreest and Giri found their footing, both securing victories that would propel them into the spotlight. Giri’s win against Firouzja was particularly notable, as it came after a pivotal mistake on move 68 by the Iranian prodigy.

The standings now show a competitive five-way tie for the lead, which includes not only Van Foreest and Giri but also GMs Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Vincent Keymer, who played to a rare bare kings position on move 64. Additionally, GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave managed a quick 15-move draw against GM Javokhir Sindarov, further complicating the leaderboard.

In a clash of American titans, GMs Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana battled it out, but their game failed to ignite, ultimately ending in a draw. With Caruana and So just half a point behind the leaders, the competition remains fierce as the tournament progresses.

Round 3 Results

The results of the third round have set the stage for an electrifying fourth round, scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at 9:10 a.m. ET / 15:10 CEST / 6:40 p.m. IST. The upcoming matchups promise to be thrilling, with two clashes between the leaders: Van Foreest will face Praggnanandhaa, while Keymer takes on Vachier-Lagrave. Giri will play as Black against Sindarov, while Deac and Firouzja, both seeking redemption after consecutive losses, will face off against So and Caruana, respectively.

Game of the Day

Our Game of the Day features the intense showdown between Giri and Firouzja, which will be analyzed by GM Rafael Leitao. This match exemplifies the high stakes and strategic depth that characterize the Super Chess Classic.

How to Watch

The 2026 Super Chess Classic Romania, part of the prestigious Grand Chess Tour, runs from May 13 to 23 at the Museum of the National Bank of Romania in Bucharest. This 10-player round-robin event features a time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, plus a 30-second increment starting from move one. With a prize fund of $475,000, the stakes are high, and the competition is fierce.

Stay tuned for full coverage of round three and all the latest updates from this thrilling tournament!