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 12 · 29 Jan 2026

NiemannGukesh D

The Matchup

White
🇺🇸USA
2nd · 6.5

Hans Moke Niemann

2755 Performance · 0.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½½W
World#17FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2725Age22

A young American grandmaster with fearless initiative, sharp opening research, and the competitive nerve to punch above his rating in elite fields.

Games in this event →
½–½Draw
Black
🇮🇳IND
4th · 5.5

Gukesh D

2717 Performance · 1.5 behind leader

Last 5 gamesLWLW½
World#10FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2754Age19

India's reigning world champion, combining lightning calculation with resolute classical play in the sport's highest-pressure moments.

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


Ruy Lopez: Closed, Martinez Variation
BlackDIND2732
WhiteNiemannUSA2725
+1
B
-1.4W

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.

Ne1f3e1
+0.0052%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD52% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Bg4 is active
Nh4f3h4
-0.1516%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD16% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Qc3b2c3
-1.297%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD7% would play this move

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

Threatening
Bxf3!Critical

Doubled pawns

Hard to spot

Rb1a1b1
-0.041%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD1% would play this move

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

Threatening
Bg4 is active