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

BluebaumSindarov

The Matchup

White
🇩🇪GER
1st · 2.0

Matthias Bluebaum

2800 Performance

Last 5 games½½W
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 →
0–1Black wins
Black
🇺🇿UZB
2nd · 1.5

Javokhir Sindarov

2740 Performance · 0.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½
World#12FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2726Age20

A young Uzbek grandmaster with sharp opening confidence and a direct, resourceful approach to dynamic positions.

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


King's Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Rare Defenses
BlackSindarovUZB2726
WhiteBluebaumGER2684
+4
B
-3.3W

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

Qc7d6c7
-6.7024%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD24% would play this move

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

Attacking
Defending
Threatening
Qxh3+!Critical

Complex tradeoff

White gets the main benefit, but white creates more concrete threats.

Rh2d2h2
-5.7814%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD14% would play this move

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

Attacking
Defending
Threatening
Rxd6!Critical

Loses the h3 pawn

White gets the main benefit, but white creates more concrete threats.

Qd8+d6d8
-6.4913%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD13% would play this move

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

Attacking
Defending
Threatening
Board structure
Rook on d2 uses the open d-file
Rxd8!Critical

Loses the h3 pawn

Nf4 is active (king-zone pressure)Capture available: Rxe4

Hard to spot

Qd7d6d7
+0.0013%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD13% would play this move

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

Attacking
Defending
Threatening
Qb4d6b4
-0.145%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD5% would play this move

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

Attacking
Defending
Threatening