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

NiemannKeymer

The Matchup

White
🇺🇸USA
1st · 3.5

Hans Moke Niemann

2782 Performance

Last 5 gamesW½½W½
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 →
0–1Black wins
Black
🇩🇪GER
3rd · 2.5

Vincent Keymer

2704 Performance · 1 behind leader

Last 5 gamesWLL½W
World#4FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2776Age21

Germany's standard-bearer and fresh super-tournament winner, blending modern opening depth with patient technique and growing endgame confidence.

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 Pawn Game
BlackKeymerGER2767
WhiteNiemannUSA2725
B
+0.4W

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.

Nf3g1f3
+0.3550%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD50% would play this move

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

Nc3b1c3
-0.1215%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD15% would play this move

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

d4d2d4
+0.406%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD6% would play this move

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

Board structure
More active pieces for White