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
WhiteCaruanaUSA2803
+1
B
+3.1W

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.

Tempting traps

Bd5e4d5
+2.5842%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD42% 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

Critical reply

Re7Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Black king under attack

Bd5 is active (king-zone pressure)Bd5 is active (king-zone pressure)
Rd5f5d5
+2.7920%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD20% 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

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Rb5f5b5
+2.8210%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD10% would play this move

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

What changed

Threatening

Immediate impact

Be4 is active (king-zone pressure)

Critical reply

Be7Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Black king under attack

Be4 is active (king-zone pressure)