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

FirouzjaVachier-Lagrave

The Matchup

White
🇫🇷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
🇫🇷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
-80.3W

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

f2f3f2
-3.9442%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD42% would play this move

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

Threatening
Qg3+!Critical

White king under attack

Black controls e4Less active pieces for Black
Qa2+c2a2
-3.0319%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD19% would play this move

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

Threatening
More active pieces for Black
Kb6Critical

White king under attack

Black gets the main benefit, but black's pieces lose activity.