Elite chess explained, move by move
Dates
17 Jan — 28 Jan 2026
Location
Wijk aan Zee, NL
Field
14 players
Format
Round-robin
Time control
Classical
Rounds
13 · 13 played
Decisive
45%
Avg. rating
2725

Round 10 · 27 Jan 2026

BluebaumGiri

The Matchup

White
🇩🇪GER
3rd · 5.0

Matthias Bluebaum

2753 Performance · 1 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½½W
World#32FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2684Age28

Germany's leading grandmaster, known for disciplined classical technique, subtle maneuvering, and patient endgame grinding.

Games in this event →
1–0White wins
Black
🇳🇱NED
4th · 4.5

Anish Giri

2734 Performance · 1.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½WW½
World#8FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2760Age31

Dutch chess's perennial contender, valued for creative opening ideas, rapid adaptation, and razor-sharp theoretical 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


Modern Defense: Averbakh System
BlackGiriNED2760
+4
WhiteBluebaumGER2684
B
+3.5W

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.

Tempting traps

Bxe4c6e4
+4.4042%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD42% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Be4 is active (king-zone pressure)
Bxg5!Critical

Complex tradeoff

Black gets the main benefit, but black creates more concrete threats.

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Nxf5g7f5
+3.6934%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD34% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Nf5 is active
Qxc6+!Critical

Loses the b7 pawn

Black gets the main benefit, but black creates more concrete threats.

Qxf5g5f5
na10%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD10% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening