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 9 · 21 May 2026

SindarovSo

The Matchup

White
🇺🇿UZB
2nd · 4.5

Javokhir Sindarov

2764 Performance · 0.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½WW
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 →
½–½Draw
Black
🇺🇸USA
2nd · 4.5

Wesley So

2764 Performance · 0.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½½W
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 over-the-board (indexed)

Lifetime FIDE classical score unavailable (missing FIDE ID or cache not warmed).

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Key Moments


Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Rio Gambit Accepted
BlackSoUSA2753
WhiteSindarovUZB2726
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.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

c3c2c3
+0.1760%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD60% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure
Bf4c1f4
+0.2118%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD18% would play this move

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

Threatening
c4c2c4
-0.797%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD7% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure
Rxe1!Critical

Allows concrete threats

White controls e4, d5, e5

Hard to spot

Rxe8+e1e8
+0.124%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD4% would play this move

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

Attacking
Defending
Threatening
Board structure
Rook on e8 uses the open e-file