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 14 · 15 Apr 2026

Bluebaum — Giri

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 →
0–1Black wins
Black
Anish GiriCredit
🇳🇱NED
2nd · 8.5

Anish Giri

1.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½W
Elo2753

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

Games in this event →

Head to head

Previous games in this event

Round 6: 1/2-1/2 · Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation, Positional Variation. Read the annotated game →

Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense, Alekhine Variation
BlackGiriNED2753
WhiteBluebaumGER2698
B
-2.2W

Classical factors on this position

Hover to preview on the board · click to keep selected and read details.

Select a category to see details.

Checks, captures, and threats for the side to move

Hover to preview on the board · click to keep selected and read details.

Select a category to see details.

The Moves

Other lines considered

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

Tempting traps

bxc3b4c3
-0.2669%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD69% 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

Bd6 is active

Critical reply

Bxc3!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Loses material on d6

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

exd5e6d5
-0.9921%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD21% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Defending
Threatening

Immediate impact

Better pawn structure for Black

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Ne5c6e5
+1.485%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD5% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Defending
Threatening

Immediate impact

Critical reply

dxe6!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Complex tradeoff

Black gets the main benefit, but white's king faces more checks and king-zone pressure.