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 8 · 7 Apr 2026

Nakamura — Caruana

The Matchup

White
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 →
1–0White wins
Black
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 →

Head to head

Previous games in this event

Round 1: 1-0 · English Opening: Agincourt Defense. Read the annotated game →

Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Anti-Benoni Variation, Spielmann Defense
BlackCaruanaUSA2795
WhiteNakamuraUSA2810
+2
B
+4.7W

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

Rf4+g4f4
+3.9822%

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

Immediate impact

Rook on f4 uses the open f-file

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Kf4e3f4
+4.4157%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD57% would play this move

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

What changed

Threatening

Immediate impact

Rook on a5 uses the open a-file
Kd4e3d4
+3.105%

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

Threatening

Immediate impact

Critical reply

Ra1Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Black king under attack

White gets the main benefit, but white gives up space.

Hard to spot

Kf3e3f3
+4.483%

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

Threatening

Immediate impact