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 4 · 16 May 2026

Keymer — Vachier-Lagrave

The Matchup

White
Vincent KeymerCredit
🇩🇪GER
1st · 2.0

Vincent Keymer

2779 Performance

Last 5 games½W½
World#4FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2759Age21

Germany's standard-bearer and fresh super-tournament winner, blending modern opening depth with patient technique and growing endgame confidence.

Games in this event →
1–0White wins
Black
Maxime Vachier-LagraveCredit
🇫🇷FRA
1st · 2.0

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

2834 Performance

Last 5 games½W½
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
WhiteKeymerGER2767
B
+4.7W

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.

fxe4f5e4
+2.4380%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD80% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Defending
Threatening

Immediate impact

Rook on f1 uses the open f-file

Critical reply

Qe2Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Creates concrete threats

Bf6d8f6
+3.801%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Threatening
Board structure

Immediate impact

Nb3 is active (outpost)

Critical reply

exf5!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Loses the b6 pawn