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 11 · 11 Apr 2026

CaruanaSindarov

The Matchup

White
🇺🇸USA
3rd · 5.0

Fabiano Caruana

2752 Performance · 3 behind leader

Last 5 games½½LL½
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 →
½–½Draw
Black
🇺🇿UZB
1st · 8.0

Javokhir Sindarov

2859 Performance

Last 5 gamesW½½½W
World#12FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2745Age20

A young Uzbek grandmaster with sharp opening confidence and a direct, resourceful approach to dynamic positions.

Games in this event →

Head to head

Previous games in this event

Round 4: 1-0 · Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Steinitz Variation, Development Variation. Read the annotated game →

Classical over-the-board (indexed)

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

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Key Moments


Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Classical Line
BlackSindarovUZB2726
+1
WhiteCaruanaUSA2803
B
+0.2W

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.

c5c7c5
+0.4229%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD29% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Board structure
dxc5!Critical

Loses the c4 pawn

Better pawn structure for BlackBetter outposts for Black
Nbd7b8d7
+0.5826%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD26% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure
Ne5 is active (outpost, king-zone pressure)
c6c7c6
+0.6316%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD16% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure

Hard to spot

h6h7h6
+0.441%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure