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 7 · 24 Jan 2026

SindarovNiemann

The Matchup

White
🇺🇿UZB
2nd · 4.0

Javokhir Sindarov

2779 Performance · 0.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½½WW½
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 →
½–½Draw
Black
🇺🇸USA
3rd · 3.5

Hans Moke Niemann

2748 Performance · 1 behind leader

Last 5 games½½W½L
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


Ruy Lopez: Closed
BlackNiemannUSA2725
WhiteSindarovUZB2726
B
+0.3W

Classical factors on this position

Hover to preview on the board · click to keep selected and read details.

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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.

c3c2c3
+0.2978%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD78% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure
Nbd2b1d2
-0.3010%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD10% would play this move

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

Threatening
Less active pieces for White
Na5Critical

Black king under attack

a4a2a4
+0.214%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD4% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure

Hard to spot

a3a2a3
+0.352%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD2% would play this move

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

Threatening
Board structure