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 12 · 12 Apr 2026

Bluebaum — Caruana

The Matchup

White
Matthias BluebaumCredit
🇩🇪GER
6th · 6.0

Matthias Bluebaum

4 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½L
Elo2698

Germany's leading grandmaster, known for disciplined classical technique, subtle maneuvering, and patient endgame grinding.

Games in this event →
½–½Draw
Black
Fabiano CaruanaCredit
🇺🇸USA
3rd · 7.5

Fabiano Caruana

2.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½W
Elo2795

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

Games in this event →

Head to head

Previous games in this event

Round 5: 1-0 · Petrov's Defense: Paulsen Attack. Read the annotated game →

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Key Moments

Queen's Gambit Declined: Barmen Variation
BlackCaruanaUSA2795
WhiteBluebaumGER2698
B
+0.6W

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.

Bf4g5f4
-0.181%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

What changed

Defending
Threatening
Bd3f1d3
-2.271%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

What changed

Threatening