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
-1.2W

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

Be7g5e7
-1.8313%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD13% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
1 checking resourceLess active pieces for Black
Nd2Critical

White king under attack

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Qh2h1h2
-2.8114%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD14% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
1 checking resource

Hard to spot

Qe4h1e4
-3.479%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD9% would play this move

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

Threatening
f4f5f4
-3.1810%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD10% would play this move

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

Threatening