Elite chess explained, move by move
Dates
25 May — 05 Jun 2026
Location
Oslo, NO
Field
6 players
Format
Round-robin + Armageddon tiebreak
Time control
Classical
Rounds
10 · 10 played
Decisive
50%
Avg. rating
2765

Round 7 · 29 May 2026

So — Firouzja

The Matchup

White
Wesley SoCredit
🇺🇸USA
3rd · 4.0

Wesley So

3078 Performance · 3.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½AA
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 →
½–½Draw
Black
Alireza FirouzjaCredit
🇫🇷FRA
1st · 7.5

Alireza Firouzja

3569 Performance

Last 5 gamesWWA
World#6FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2759Age22

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

Classical OTB (lifetime FIDE)

So WinsDrawsFirouzja Wins

Source: FIDE

Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

Queen's Pawn Game
BlackFirouzjaFRA2744
WhiteSoUSA2753
B
+0.3W

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.

Nf3g1f3
+0.3750%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD50% would play this move

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

Immediate impact

Nc3b1c3
-0.0215%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD15% would play this move

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

Immediate impact

Critical reply

d5Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Loses piece activity

White controls e4, d5Black has holes on d7

Hard to spot

e4e2e4
+0.375%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD5% would play this move

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

What changed

Board structure

Immediate impact

More active pieces for White