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 3 · 15 May 2026

Vachier-LagraveSindarov

The Matchup

White
🇫🇷FRA
1st · 1.5

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

2863 Performance

Last 5 games½W
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 →
½–½Draw
Black
🇺🇿UZB
3rd · 0.5

Javokhir Sindarov

2592 Performance · 1 behind leader

Last 5 games½L
World#12FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2776Age20

A young Uzbek grandmaster with sharp opening confidence and a direct, resourceful approach to dynamic positions.

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


Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening
BlackSindarovUZB2726
WhiteVachier-LagraveFRA2740
B
+0.2W

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.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

c3c2c3
+0.4037%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD37% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure
O-Oe1g1
+0.3224%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD24% would play this move

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

Threatening
Nc3b1c3
+0.2112%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD12% would play this move

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

Threatening

Hard to spot

h3h2h3
+0.2710%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD10% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure