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 4 · 1 Apr 2026

Bluebaum — Praggnanandhaa R

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
Praggnanandhaa RCredit
🇮🇳IND
7th · 6.0

Praggnanandhaa R

4 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½½
Elo2741

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 →
Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

Semi-Slav Defense: Accelerated Meran Variation
BlackRIND2741
WhiteBluebaumGER2698
B
+0.3W

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.

Bd6f8d6
+0.3135%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD35% would play this move

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

What changed

Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact

More active pieces for Black
Be7f8e7
+0.4722%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD22% would play this move

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

What changed

Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact

Bb4f8b4
+0.4719%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD19% would play this move

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

What changed

Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact

Bb4 is active

Hard to spot

Nbd7b8d7
+0.3010%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD10% would play this move

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

What changed

Threatening
Board structure