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 3 · 31 Mar 2026

BluebaumEsipenko

The Matchup

White
🇩🇪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
🇷🇺RUS
8th · 4.5

Andrey Esipenko

5.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½LL
Elo2698

A direct, tactical Russian grandmaster with a gift for turning small opening edges into sharp, double-edged battles.

Games in this event →
Scroll to see the game

Key Moments


Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation
BlackEsipenkoRUS2698
WhiteBluebaumGER2698
+1
B
+0.1W

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.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Bg5c1g5
+0.2733%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD33% would play this move

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

Threatening
Bg5 is active
Bf4c1f4
+0.3125%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD25% would play this move

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

Threatening
More active pieces for White
e3e2e3
+0.0816%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD16% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Board structure

Hard to spot

g3g2g3
+0.229%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD9% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure