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 6 · 23 Jan 2026

AravindhSindarov

The Matchup

White
🇮🇳IND
5th · 1.5

Chithambaram VR. Aravindh

2641 Performance · 2 behind leader

Last 5 games½½½LL
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 →
½–½Draw
Black
🇺🇿UZB
1st · 3.5

Javokhir Sindarov

2794 Performance

Last 5 games½½½WW
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


Semi-Slav Defense
BlackSindarovUZB2726
WhiteAravindhIND2700
B
-5.4W

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.

Tempting traps

Nxh5f6h5
-5.0746%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD46% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Board structure
3 checking resourcesRook on g6 uses the open g-file
a2Critical

Black king under attack

d6d5d6
-4.1713%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD13% would play this move

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

Threatening
a2Critical

Black king under attack

Engine & players agree

Playable moves worth considering here.

Qc3e3c3
-4.039%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD9% would play this move

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

Threatening
Rook on g6 uses the open g-file
a2Critical

Black king under attack

Rook on g6 uses the open g-file

Hard to spot

Rc3c5c3
-1.602%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD2% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Qxe3!Critical

Allows concrete threats

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