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 5 · 17 May 2026

Praggnanandhaa RSo

The Matchup

White
🇮🇳IND
2nd · 2.5

Praggnanandhaa R

2807 Performance · 0.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½W½½
World#13FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2733Age20

India's young super-GM, combining deep calculation with fearless classical play and the tactical nerve that makes every armageddon tiebreak feel winnable.

Games in this event →
½–½Draw
Black
🇺🇸USA
3rd · 2.0

Wesley So

2733 Performance · 1 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½½
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 OTB (lifetime FIDE)

R WinsDrawsSo Wins

Source: FIDE

Scroll to see the game

Key Moments


Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation
BlackSoUSA2753
WhiteRIND2735
B
+0.0W

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

Nf5e3f5
-1.6722%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD22% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Board structure
Nf5 is active (outpost, king-zone pressure)
Bxf5!Critical

Allows concrete threats

White has doubled pawns on the f-fileWorse outposts for White

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Bb3a4b3
-0.4726%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD26% would play this move

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

Threatening
f3f2f3
-0.5112%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD12% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure

Hard to spot

c4c3c4
-0.205%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD5% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure
Kg1h1g1
-0.291%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

Threatening