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 9 · 26 Jan 2026

Gukesh DBluebaum

The Matchup

White
🇮🇳IND
4th · 4.0

Gukesh D

2730 Performance · 1.5 behind leader

Last 5 games½WLLW
World#10FIDE Standard world ranking from the latest monthly classical rating list before this tournament started. List: 2026-03-01.Elo2754Age19

India's reigning world champion, combining lightning calculation with resolute classical play in the sport's highest-pressure moments.

Games in this event →
0–1Black wins
Black
🇩🇪GER
4th · 4.0

Matthias Bluebaum

2728 Performance · 1.5 behind leader

Last 5 gamesL½½½½
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 →

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


Bishop's Opening: Berlin Defense
BlackBluebaumGER2684
WhiteDIND2732
B
-3.9W

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

Ne3c4e3
-3.3422%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD22% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Rd8Critical

Complex tradeoff

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

Nd2c4d2
-3.9318%

MAIA 2200

PLAYER LIKELIHOOD18% would play this move

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

Attacking
Threatening
Rd8Critical

Complex tradeoff

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

Hard to spot

h4h2h4
-2.620%

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
Board structure