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 9 · 8 Apr 2026

Bluebaum — Sindarov

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
Javokhir SindarovCredit
🇺🇿UZB
1st · 10.0

Javokhir Sindarov

Last 5 games½½½½
Elo2745

A young Uzbek grandmaster with sharp opening confidence and a direct, resourceful approach to dynamic positions.

Games in this event →

Head to head

Previous games in this event

Round 2: 1/2-1/2 · Petrov's Defense: Karklins-Martinovsky Variation. Read the annotated game →

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Key Moments

Queen's Gambit Declined: Harrwitz Attack
BlackSindarovUZB2745
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.

Tempting traps

Qa5b6a5
-1.5626%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD26% 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 b8 uses the open b-file

Critical reply

a3Critical

Critical line

After critical line

White king under attack

Qxd4b6d4
+0.8812%

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

Rook on b8 uses the open b-file

Critical reply

Rxd4!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Loses material

Black gets the main benefit, but black creates more concrete threats.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Qb7b6b7
-3.2624%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD24% 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 d1 uses the open d-file