Elite chess explained, move by move
Dates
03 May — 10 May 2026
Location
Warsaw, PL
Field
10 players
Format
Round-robin
Time control
Rapid and blitz
Rounds
27 · 27 played
Decisive
66%
Avg. rating
2732

Round 12 · 8 May 2026

CaruanaVachier-Lagrave

The Matchup

White
🇺🇸USA
3rd · 6.0

Fabiano Caruana

2754 Performance · 1.5 behind leader

Last 5 gamesW½L½W
World#3FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2749Age33

A principled calculator with world-championship match experience, known for deep opening preparation and clean technical pressure.

Games in this event →
1–0White wins
Black
🇫🇷FRA
4th · 5.5

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

2738 Performance · 2 behind leader

Last 5 gamesW½LW½
World#22FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2761Age35

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

Previous games in this event

Round 1: 1-0 · Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Italian Four Knights Variation. Read the annotated game →

Classical over-the-board (indexed)

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

Scroll to see the game

Key Moments


Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit
BlackVachier-LagraveFRA2740
WhiteCaruanaUSA2803
B
+1.8W

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

Bxe6c8e6
+1.1927%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD27% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Board structure
More active pieces for Black
Qxe6!Critical

Loses the b on d6

Ne5g6e5
+2.1419%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD19% would play this move

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

Allows White's Qxe5

Nxc5!Critical

Allows concrete threats

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Bd7c8d7
-0.4619%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD19% would play this move

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

Attacking
Defending
Board structure
More active pieces for Black
Bxb7!Critical

Allows concrete threats