Elite chess explained, move by move
Dates
12 May — 24 May 2026
Location
Bucharest, RO
Field
10 players
Format
Round-robin
Time control
Classical
Rounds
9 · 9 played
Decisive
36%
Avg. rating
2744

Round 2 · 14 May 2026

Firouzja — Vachier-Lagrave

The Matchup

White
Alireza FirouzjaCredit
🇫🇷FRA
1st · 0.5

Alireza Firouzja

2733 Performance

Last 5 games½
World#6FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2759Age22

France's attacking spearhead and former world #2, known for razor-sharp preparation and uncompromising initiative in complex positions.

Games in this event →
0–1Black wins
Black
Maxime Vachier-LagraveCredit
🇫🇷FRA
1st · 0.5

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

2767 Performance

Last 5 games½
World#22FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2717Age35

France's longtime super-GM and former world #2, famous for deep Sicilians, volcanic complications, and punishing preparation.

Games in this event →

Head to head

Classical over-the-board (indexed)

Lifetime FIDE classical score unavailable (missing FIDE ID or cache not warmed).

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Key Moments

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation
BlackVachier-LagraveFRA2740
+1
WhiteFirouzjaFRA2744
B
-9.1W

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.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Qg5+d8g5
-5.0196%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD96% 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

Nb5 is activeFewer concrete threats for White

Critical reply

Qg6Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Allows concrete threats

Open files near the Black king: g, hBe5 is active
Qh4d8h4
-6.751%

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

6 checking resourcesNb5 is active

Critical reply

f2Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Black king under attack