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 8 · 20 May 2026

Van Foreest — Sindarov

The Matchup

White
Jorden Van ForeestCredit
🇳🇱NED
1st · 4.5

Jorden Van Foreest

2795 Performance

Last 5 gamesW½½½W
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 →
0–1Black wins
Black
Javokhir SindarovCredit
🇺🇿UZB
3rd · 3.5

Javokhir Sindarov

2739 Performance · 1 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½½W
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

Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Classical Line
BlackSindarovUZB2726
+1
WhiteForeestNED2705
B
-81.2W

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.

g5g4g5
-5.9010%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD10% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Threatening

Immediate impact

4 checking resources

Critical reply

Kd3Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Black king under attack

Rxf5h5f5
-5.528%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD8% 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

4 checking resourcesRook on f5 uses the open f-file

Critical reply

Nxf5!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Loses material

Nf5 is activeWhite controls d4, d5

White gets the main benefit, but white creates more concrete threats.