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 6 · 18 May 2026

So — Vachier-Lagrave

The Matchup

White
Wesley SoCredit
🇺🇸USA
3rd · 2.5

Wesley So

2733 Performance · 1 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½½½
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 →
½–½Draw
Black
Maxime Vachier-LagraveCredit
🇫🇷FRA
3rd · 2.5

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

2759 Performance · 1 behind leader

Last 5 games½W½L½
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).

Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation
BlackVachier-LagraveFRA2740
WhiteSoUSA2753
B
+0.1W

Classical factors on this position

Hover to preview on the board · click to keep selected and read details.

Select a category to see details.

Checks, captures, and threats for the side to move

Hover to preview on the board · click to keep selected and read details.

Select a category to see details.

The Moves

Other lines considered

From the crossroads before this move — engine and player perspectives.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

b4b2b4
+0.2117%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD17% 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

Rd1f1d1
+0.0813%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD13% 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 d1 uses the semi_open d-file

Hard to spot

a4a2a4
+0.083%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD3% 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