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 8 · 6 May 2026

So — Vachier-Lagrave

The Matchup

White
Wesley SoCredit
🇺🇸USA
1st · 5.0

Wesley So

2803 Performance

Last 5 gamesLWW½½
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 →
½–½Draw
Black
Maxime Vachier-LagraveCredit
🇫🇷FRA
3rd · 3.5

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

2715 Performance · 1.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½WW
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

Classical over-the-board (indexed)

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

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Key Moments

Sicilian Defense: Prins Variation
BlackVachier-LagraveFRA2740
WhiteSoUSA2753
B
+0.2W

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.

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)