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

BluebaumSindarov

The Matchup

White
🇩🇪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
🇺🇿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 →

Scroll to see the game

Key Moments


Queen's Gambit Declined: Harrwitz Attack
BlackSindarovUZB2745
WhiteBluebaumGER2698
B
-0.0W

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

Kc1b1c1
-0.9929%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD29% would play this move

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

Defending
Threatening
Rh2!Critical

Attack with a tradeoff

White gets the main benefit, but white's material balance worsens by 1.00 pawns.

Rd7d1d7
-5.2619%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD19% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Rook on d7 uses the open d-file
Ra1+!Critical

Loses piece activity

Piece eyes the king zone from d7Rook on d7 uses the open d-file

White gets the main benefit, but white gains more useful space.

Rf6f1f6
-4.7619%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD19% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Rook on d1 uses the open d-file
Ra1+!Critical

Loses piece activity

Piece eyes the king zone from f6Rook on d1 uses the open d-file

White gets the main benefit, but white gains more useful space.

Hard to spot

Rfe1f1e1
+0.002%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD2% would play this move

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

Threatening
Rde1d1e1
+0.001%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

Threatening
Rc1d1c1
+0.001%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

Threatening