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
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.

Tempting traps

Bg3e5g3
-0.7015%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD15% 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

1 checking resourceBc5 is active (king-zone pressure)

Critical reply

e5Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Black king under attack

White controls d4, d5, e5Bc5 is active (king-zone pressure)

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Bc3e5c3
-0.1112%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD12% 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

1 checking resource

Hard to spot

Bd4e5d4
+0.1410%

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

Attacking
Threatening

Immediate impact

Bf4e5f4
+0.012%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD2% 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

1 checking resource