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 5 · 3 Apr 2026

Caruana — Bluebaum

The Matchup

White
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 →
1–0White wins
Black
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 →
Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

Petrov's Defense: Paulsen Attack
BlackBluebaumGER2698
WhiteCaruanaUSA2795
B
-0.0W

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.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Bd6f8d6
-0.0951%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD51% 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
Bc5f8c5
-0.1722%

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

More active pieces for Black
Be7f8e7
+0.1119%

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