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

Praggnanandhaa R — Giri

The Matchup

White
Praggnanandhaa RCredit
🇮🇳IND
1st · 0.0

Praggnanandhaa R

Last 5 games
World#13FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2741Age20

India's young super-GM, combining deep calculation with fearless classical play and the tactical nerve that makes every armageddon tiebreak feel winnable.

Games in this event →
1–0White wins
Black
Anish GiriCredit
🇳🇱NED
1st · 0.0

Anish Giri

Last 5 games
World#8FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2753Age31

Dutch chess's perennial contender, valued for creative opening ideas, rapid adaptation, and razor-sharp theoretical preparation.

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

Sicilian Defense: Closed
BlackGiriNED2760
WhiteRIND2735
+1
B
+3.0W

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

f3f4f3
+5.1734%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD34% 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

Rook on g4 uses the semi_open g-file

Critical reply

h7Critical

Critical line

After critical line

White king under attack

Rook on f6 uses the semi_open f-file
Ke7d7e7
+5.6518%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD18% 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

Critical reply

h7Critical

Critical line

After critical line

White king under attack

Rook on f6 uses the semi_open f-file
Nxd3e5d3
+5.5517%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD17% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact

Critical reply

h7Critical

Critical line

After critical line

White king under attack

Rook on f6 uses the semi_open f-file

Hard to spot

Rg8g4g8
+3.4913%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD13% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact

Rook on g8 uses the semi_open g-file

Critical reply

h7Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Creates concrete threats

Less active pieces for BlackLess active pieces for Black