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


Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Normal
BlackKeymerGER2767
+4
WhiteNiemannUSA2725
B
-2.8W

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.

Qb3a3b3
-4.0527%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD27% would play this move

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

Threatening
Bd6 is active (king-zone pressure)
Bc5d6c5
-2.938%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD8% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Qxd5!Critical

Allows concrete threats

Piece eyes the king zone from c5Bc5 is active (king-zone pressure)

Hard to spot

Bc7d6c7
-4.040%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD0% would play this move

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

Threatening
Be5d6e5
-3.970%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD0% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening