Prepare against Andreas Van Elst
FM · France · World #7,264 classical · FIDE ID 608386
When preparing against Andreas Van Elst, expect 1.d4 in 64% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (86% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (96%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: King's Indian Defense as Black, 20.0% over 15 games.
Our database contains 296 games by Andreas Van Elst, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Andreas Van Elst's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Andreas Van Elst before a game. You can open the same data in the free interactive preparation workstation, which builds a move-by-move opening tree from every game.
Ratings
| Time control | Current | Peak | Peak date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 2,219 | 2,350 | Jan 2008 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 296 | 82 | 83 | 131 | 27.7% |
| As White | 156 | 47 | 45 | 64 | 30.1% |
| As Black | 140 | 35 | 38 | 67 | 25.0% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Andreas Van Elst's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Andreas Van Elst's side.
First moves as White (156 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d4 | 100 | 64.1% | 48.0% |
| e4 | 56 | 35.9% | 38.4% |
Main lines as White
- 1.d4 — 64% of White games, 48.0% score
- …Nf6 (54% of these games) — Elst usually continues c4 (50.9% score)
- …d5 (29% of these games) — Elst usually continues c4 (51.7% score)
- …e6 (5% of these games) — Elst usually continues e4 (33.3% score)
- 1.e4 — 36% of White games, 38.4% score
- …c5 (41% of these games) — Elst usually continues Nf3 (32.6% score)
- …e5 (18% of these games) — Elst usually continues Nf3 (40.0% score)
- …e6 (14% of these games) — Elst usually continues d4 (56.3% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (69 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 59 | 85.5% | 42.4% |
| e6 | 9 | 13.0% | 50.0% |
| e5 | 1 | 1.4% | 0.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (55 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 53 | 96.4% | 37.7% |
| d5 | 2 | 3.6% | 0.0% |
Andreas Van Elst's chess games
All 296 games by Andreas Van Elst in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2003 - Jul 2026) are free to browse, search and replay: filter by opening, opponent, event or date on the player page, or step through any game on the analysis board. Record: 82 wins, 83 draws, 131 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D10 | Slav Defense | 20 | 7/6/7 | 35.0% |
| D94 | Benoni Defense | 15 | 4/5/6 | 26.7% |
| E99 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 13 | 7/1/5 | 53.8% |
| E26 | Nimzo-Indian: Sämisch Variation | 8 | 1/5/2 | 12.5% |
| B43 | Sicilian | 7 | 1/2/4 | 14.3% |
| B91 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 6 | 1/2/3 | 16.7% |
| E29 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | 5 | 2/3/0 | 40.0% |
| D37 | Indian Defense | 5 | 1/0/4 | 20.0% |
| E44 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 5 | 2/1/2 | 40.0% |
| A80 | Dutch Defense | 4 | 0/2/2 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B42 | Sicilian | 47 | 13/15/19 | 27.7% |
| E70 | King's Indian Defense | 15 | 3/3/9 | 20.0% |
| E94 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 11 | 5/2/4 | 45.5% |
| A65 | King's Indian: Sämisch | 8 | 2/2/4 | 25.0% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 6 | 1/2/3 | 16.7% |
| A21 | Modern Defense | 5 | 1/1/3 | 20.0% |
| A68 | King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack | 5 | 1/1/3 | 20.0% |
| A49 | King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation | 5 | 1/2/2 | 20.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 5 | 1/3/1 | 20.0% |
| C19 | French: Winawer Variation | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2003 | Krum Georgiev | 2,529 | chT2S-FRA | E99 |
| Jan 2002 | Daniel W Gormally | 2,506 | chT1-FRA | D92 |
| Nov 2007 | Joseph Sanchez | 2,496 | chT1B-FRA 0708 | D10 |
| Oct 2008 | Lawrence Trent | 2,470 | Cap d'Agde CCAS Open | E44 |
| Jan 2006 | Bogomil Andonov | 2,391 | 14th Saint Affrique Open | A56 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ch-FRA Accession | 2009 | 47 | 23.5 | 2,293 |
| Toulouse CEIT Open | 2000 | 21 | 11.5 | 2,320 |
| chT2-FRA South 0607 | 2007 | 11 | 3.5 | 2,209 |
| chT1B-FRA 0708 | 2008 | 11 | 3 | 2,268 |
| chT2C-FRA 0506 | 2006 | 11 | 4.5 | 2,251 |
| chT1-FRA | 2002 | 11 | 3 | 2,244 |
| chT-FRA 9900 | 2000 | 11 | 1.5 | 2,064 |
| 6th Condom IM | 2007 | 9 | 6 | 2,483 |
Interactive opening tree from all 296 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Andreas Van Elst's chess games?
296 games by Andreas Van Elst, from Apr 2003 to Jul 2026, are free to browse and replay move by move — no signup needed. The preparation view groups them into an opening tree showing every line Andreas Van Elst has played.
What does Andreas Van Elst play on the first move as White?
Across 156 games with White in our database, Andreas Van Elst opens with 1.d4 (64% of games), 1.e4 (36% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Andreas Van Elst answers 1...c5 (86% of games), 1...e6 (13% of games), 1...e5 (1% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (96% of games), 1...d5 (4% of games).
What openings does Andreas Van Elst play as White?
As White, Andreas Van Elst's most-played openings in our database are: Slav Defense (20 games, 35.0% win rate); Benoni Defense (15 games, 26.7% win rate); King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (13 games, 53.8% win rate). The full breakdown of 156 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Andreas Van Elst play as Black?
As Black, Andreas Van Elst most often plays: Sicilian (47 games, 27.7% win rate); King's Indian Defense (15 games, 20.0% win rate); King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (11 games, 45.5% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 140 games.
What is Andreas Van Elst's FIDE rating?
Andreas Van Elst is currently rated 2,219 in classical chess. Peak classical rating: 2,350 (Jan 2008).
How many games has Andreas Van Elst played?
Our database contains 296 games by Andreas Van Elst, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 82 wins, 83 draws, 131 losses (27.7% win rate).
How do I prepare against Andreas Van Elst?
296 games by Andreas Van Elst reveal their opening repertoire, most-played lines, and the variations where they score worst — the raw material for targeted preparation. The interactive opening tree lets you walk every line to any depth.