GM Wesley So (United States of America) beat Chiya mder hamad (Iraq) in round 1 of the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad Samarkand 2026 (Open), in 46 moves.
The game turned on 25.Qb5. Before it, Stockfish had the position as a clear advantage for Black (-2.19); one move later, winning for Black (-2.96).
Stockfish wanted 25.h4 instead. Can you see why? And 25...Qxb5, the engine's best reply, came straight back.
It began as the English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with Nb6.
Replay it move by move, then take the key position on against the engine.
- White
- Chiya mder hamad, 1983 · Iraq
- Black
- GM Wesley So, 2774 · United States of America
- Result
- 0–1 in 46 moves
- Opening
- English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation, Fianchetto Line, with Nb6 · A29
- Event
- 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad Samarkand 2026, Open, Round 1 · Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- Key move: {0}
- 25.Qb5
- Engine’s choice
- 25.h4