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 7 · 5 Apr 2026

Bluebaum — Nakamura

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
Hikaru NakamuraCredit
🇺🇸USA
5th · 6.5

Hikaru Nakamura

3.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½½
Elo2810

The speed demon of modern chess, combining tactical nerve, fearless initiative, and elite practical instincts.

Games in this event →
Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

Queen's Gambit Declined: Three Knights Variation
BlackNakamuraUSA2810
WhiteBluebaumGER2698
B
+0.4W

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.

Tempting traps

Rxe8+e1e8
-0.8930%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD30% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact

Ba7 is active

Critical reply

Bxe8!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Creates concrete threats

White gets the main benefit, but white's material balance worsens by 5.00 pawns.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Bb3c2b3
+0.0459%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD59% 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

Bc7 is active (king-zone pressure)
Bd3c2d3
-0.623%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD3% 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

Bc7 is active (king-zone pressure)

Hard to spot

Qb3f3b3
-0.041%

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

Attacking
Threatening

Immediate impact

Bc7 is active (king-zone pressure)