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

SoNiemann

The Matchup

White
🇺🇸USA
2nd · 7.0

Wesley So

2785 Performance · 0.5 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.Elo2798Age32

A U.S. legend and endgame specialist, valued for immaculate technique, calm defense, and elite practical steadiness under sustained pressure.

Games in this event →
1–0White wins
Black
🇺🇸USA
1st · 7.5

Hans Moke Niemann

2816 Performance

Last 5 games½W½LW
World#17FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2699Age22

A young American grandmaster with fearless initiative, sharp opening research, and the competitive nerve to punch above his rating in elite fields.

Games in this event →

Head to head

Previous games in this event

Round 7: 1/2-1/2 · Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening. 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


Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense
BlackNiemannUSA2725
WhiteSoUSA2753
B
-0.1W

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.

Bd3f1d3
+0.1158%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD58% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
More active pieces for White
Qb3d1b3
+0.0916%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD16% would play this move

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

Attacking
Skewers the bishop on b4 with the pawn behind on b7
Be2f1e2
+0.0014%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD14% would play this move

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

Threatening

Hard to spot

Ne5f3e5
+0.011%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

Board structure
Outpost · Ne5
Ne5 is active (outpost, king-zone pressure)