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 ForeestSo

The Matchup

White
🇳🇱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
🇺🇸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
+0.3W

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.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Nd6e8d6
+0.4131%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD31% would play this move

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

Threatening
Be6c8e6
+0.4011%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD11% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure
Bb6 is active (king-zone pressure)

Hard to spot

d4d5d4
-0.060%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD0% would play this move

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

Threatening
Bc7b6c7
+0.151%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

Threatening
Qh4d8h4
+0.202%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD2% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure
Bb6 is active (king-zone pressure)