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

Van Foreest — So

The Matchup

White
Jorden Van ForeestCredit
🇳🇱NED
1st · 0.5

Jorden Van Foreest

2788 Performance

Last 5 games½
World#19FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2735Age27

A Dutch champion with bold opening ideas and the competitive streak that thrives in the sharp atmosphere of Wijk aan Zee and Bucharest.

Games in this event →
½–½Draw
Black
Wesley SoCredit
🇺🇸USA
1st · 0.5

Wesley So

2759 Performance

Last 5 games½
World#9FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2754Age32

A U.S. legend and endgame specialist, valued for immaculate technique, calm defense, and elite practical steadiness under sustained pressure.

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

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Rio Gambit Accepted
BlackSoUSA2753
WhiteForeestNED2705
B
-0.1W

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.

Qh5e2h5
-0.3419%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD19% 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 e1 uses the open e-file
Ng3e4g3
+0.104%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD4% would play this move

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

What changed

Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact

Bd3 is active (king-zone pressure)