Keymer Extends Lead in Super Chess Classic Romania After Firouzja’s Withdrawal

Vincent Keymer Extends Lead at Super Chess Classic Romania 2026

Bucharest, Romania – In a dramatic turn of events at the Super Chess Classic Romania 2026, GM Vincent Keymer has solidified his position at the top of the leaderboard, now boasting a full-point lead over his competitors. This unexpected advantage came after GM Alireza Firouzja’s withdrawal from the tournament, granting Keymer a forfeit victory in round six.

While Keymer celebrated his unanticipated gain, the rest of the round unfolded with a series of draws. Notable matches included GM Wesley So facing off against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and GM Fabiano Caruana battling GM Javokhir Sindarov. Both So and Caruana, playing with the white pieces, managed to gain slight advantages but ultimately failed to convert them into victories.

The all-Dutch encounter between GM Jorden van Foreest and GM Anish Giri ended in a balanced draw, while GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu’s attempt to unsettle GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac with the Dutch Defense fell short, resulting in another stalemate.

With three rounds remaining, Keymer leads the pack, closely followed by Caruana, Giri, Van Foreest, and Praggnanandhaa, who are all vying for the top spot. The stakes are high as the tournament progresses, with each player eager to capitalize on any opportunity.

Upcoming Matches

Round seven is set to commence on Thursday, May 21, at 9:10 a.m. ET / 15:10 CEST / 6:40 p.m. IST. Keymer will face Sindarov with the black pieces, while the highly anticipated match between Praggnanandhaa and Caruana promises to be a highlight of the day.

How to Watch

The Super Chess Classic Romania is the second event of the 2026 Grand Chess Tour, running from May 13 to 23 at the Museum of the National Bank of Romania in Bucharest. This 10-player round-robin tournament features a prize fund of $475,000 and employs a time control of 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment starting from move one.

Stay tuned for full coverage of round six and analysis of the standout games, including the round-four clash between Caruana and Firouzja, which took place on a rest day and showcased Caruana’s impressive skills.

As the tournament heats up, all eyes will be on Keymer and his challengers as they battle for supremacy in this prestigious chess event.