Elite chess explained, move by move
Dates
28 Mar — 16 Apr 2026
Location
Paphos, CY
Field
8 players
Format
Double round-robin
Time control
Classical
Rounds
14 · 14 played
Decisive
32%
Avg. rating
2749

Round 1 · 29 Mar 2026

Caruana — Nakamura

The Matchup

White
Fabiano CaruanaCredit
🇺🇸USA
1st · 0.0

Fabiano Caruana

Last 5 games
World#3FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2795Age33

A principled calculator with world-championship match experience, known for deep opening preparation and clean technical pressure.

Games in this event →
1–0White wins
Black
Hikaru NakamuraCredit
🇺🇸USA
1st · 0.0

Hikaru Nakamura

Last 5 games
World#2FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2810Age38

The speed demon of modern chess, combining tactical nerve, fearless initiative, and elite practical instincts.

Games in this event →

Head to head

Classical over-the-board (indexed)

Lifetime FIDE classical score unavailable (missing FIDE ID or cache not warmed).

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Key Moments

English Opening: Agincourt Defense
BlackNakamuraUSA2804
+2
WhiteCaruanaUSA2803
B
+0.1W

Classical factors on this position

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Checks, captures, and threats for the side to move

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The Moves

Other lines considered

From the crossroads before this move — engine and player perspectives.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Bxd4c5d4
+0.2831%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD31% would play this move

The Maia model estimates how often 2200-rated players choose this move from this position.

What changed

Attacking
Threatening

Immediate impact

1 checking resourceBd4 is active

Critical reply

exd4!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Loses material on c6

White king is exposedWhite has doubled pawns on the d-file

Black gets the main benefit, but black creates more concrete threats.

O-Oe8g8
+2.383%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD3% would play this move

The Maia model estimates how often 2200-rated players choose this move from this position.

What changed

Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact