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 9 · 30 May 2026

Carlsen — So

The Matchup

White
Magnus CarlsenCredit
🇳🇴NOR
4th · 4.5

Magnus Carlsen

2998 Performance · 4 behind leader

Last 5 gamesLALW
World#1FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2841Age35

The highest-rated player in history, famous for squeezing wins from level positions and making endgames feel inevitable.

Games in this event →
0–1Black wins
Black
Wesley SoCredit
🇺🇸USA
3rd · 5.5

Wesley So

3098 Performance · 3 behind leader

Last 5 games½AAA
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 →

Head to head

Classical OTB (lifetime FIDE)

Carlsen WinsDrawsSo Wins

Source: FIDE

Scroll to see the game

Key Moments

Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Normal
BlackSoUSA2753
+1
WhiteCarlsenNOR2841
B
-8.6W

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.

Nxd2+b3d2
-8.6997%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD97% would play this move

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

What changed

Move result
White gained
No longer: Needs defense on pd2
Black must solve / gained

Immediate impact

Nd2 is active (king-zone pressure)

Critical reply

Nxd2!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Loses the d5 pawn

Piece eyes the king zone from d2Nd2 is active (king-zone pressure)
Kxc4c3c4
-7.250%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD0% would play this move

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

What changed

Move result
White gained
No longer: Needs defense on nc4
Black must solve / gained

Immediate impact

Nb3 is active (king-zone pressure)

Critical reply

d1=Q!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Loses the d5 pawn

Hard to spot

Kb4c3b4
-9.020%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD0% would play this move

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

What changed

Move result
White gained
No longer: Needs defense on pd2
Black must solve / gained

Immediate impact

Critical reply

d1=Q!Critical

Critical line

After critical line

Loses the d5 pawn