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 4 · 21 Jan 2026

AravindhNiemann

The Matchup

White
🇮🇳IND
2nd · 1.5

Chithambaram VR. Aravindh

2701 Performance · 0.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½
World#34FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2700Age26

An Indian grandmaster with creative, uncompromising style — willing to stir complications when the position calls for chaos.

Games in this event →
0–1Black wins
Black
🇺🇸USA
1st · 2.0

Hans Moke Niemann

2753 Performance

Last 5 gamesW½½
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 →

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


English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Rubinstein Variation
BlackNiemannUSA2725
+6
WhiteAravindhIND2700
B
-9.8W

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.

Qxb6d8b6
-8.9771%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD71% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
2 checking resourcesMore active pieces for White
Nc3Critical

White king gets exposed

Qd7+d8d7
-7.936%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD6% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Fewer concrete threats for WhiteMore active pieces for White
Kh6Critical

Loses piece activity

White gets the main benefit, but black's king faces more checks and king-zone pressure.

Hard to spot

e4e3e4
-8.750%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD0% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure