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 16 · 8 May 2026

So — Firouzja

The Matchup

White
Wesley SoCredit
🇺🇸USA
2nd · 9.5

Wesley So

2771 Performance · 0.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½WLW½
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 →
0–1Black wins
Black
Alireza FirouzjaCredit
🇫🇷FRA
4th · 7.5

Alireza Firouzja

2716 Performance · 2.5 behind leader

Last 5 gamesW½W½½
World#6FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2796Age22

France's attacking spearhead and former world #2, known for razor-sharp preparation and uncompromising initiative in complex positions.

Games in this event →

Head to head

Previous games in this event

Round 5: 0-1 · Queen's Pawn Game: London System. Read the annotated game →

Classical OTB (lifetime FIDE)

So WinsDrawsFirouzja Wins

Source: FIDE

Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

Sicilian Defense: Prins Variation
BlackFirouzjaFRA2744
WhiteSoUSA2753
B
+0.2W

Classical factors on this position

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

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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.

Nc3b1c3
+0.3880%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD80% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Defending

Immediate impact

Bd3f1d3
+0.0310%

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
Defending

Immediate impact

1 checking resource

Hard to spot

Bb5+f1b5
+0.091%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

What changed

Attacking
Defending
Board structure

Immediate impact

Bb5 is active (king-zone pressure)