Prepare against Daniel Koval
Slovakia · World #31,706 classical · FIDE ID 14903504
When preparing against Daniel Koval, expect 1.c4 in 95% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e6 (99% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (95%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: French: Tarrasch Variation as Black, 14.8% over 27 games.
Our database contains 306 games by Daniel Koval, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Daniel Koval's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Daniel Koval 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 | 1,976 | 2,203 | Jul 2003 |
| Rapid | 2,076 | 2,076 | Jul 2026 |
| Blitz | 1,983 | 2,028 | May 2019 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 306 | 94 | 143 | 69 | 30.7% |
| As White | 154 | 60 | 65 | 29 | 39.0% |
| As Black | 152 | 34 | 78 | 40 | 22.4% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Daniel Koval's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Daniel Koval's side.
First moves as White (154 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c4 | 147 | 95.5% | 60.5% |
| d4 | 3 | 1.9% | 33.3% |
| Nf3 | 2 | 1.3% | 75.0% |
| e4 | 1 | 0.6% | 50.0% |
| f4 | 1 | 0.6% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.c4 — 95% of White games, 60.5% score
- …Nf6 (41% of these games) — Koval usually continues Nc3 (64.6% score)
- …e5 (18% of these games) — Koval usually continues Nc3 (61.5% score)
- …c6 (13% of these games) — Koval usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 2% of White games, 33.3% score
- …Nf6 (100% of these games) — Koval usually continues Bg5 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (85 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e6 | 84 | 98.8% | 52.4% |
| c5 | 1 | 1.2% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (43 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 41 | 95.3% | 42.7% |
| d5 | 1 | 2.3% | 50.0% |
| e6 | 1 | 2.3% | 50.0% |
Daniel Koval's chess games
All 306 games by Daniel Koval 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: 94 wins, 143 draws, 69 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E62 | English Opening | 53 | 19/23/11 | 35.8% |
| A28 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 28 | 13/9/6 | 46.4% |
| A11 | English Opening: Slav Setup | 10 | 2/7/1 | 20.0% |
| D11 | Slav Defense | 9 | 3/5/1 | 33.3% |
| A35 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 7 | 4/2/1 | 57.1% |
| A18 | English Opening: Mikenas Variation | 6 | 2/4/0 | 33.3% |
| A86 | English Opening: Dutch Defense | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| D30 | Indian Defense | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| A30 | Modern Defense | 5 | 3/2/0 | 60.0% |
| A14 | English Opening: Neo-Catalan | 3 | 1/2/0 | 33.3% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D85 | Grünfeld Defense | 27 | 6/15/6 | 22.2% |
| C06 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 27 | 4/15/8 | 14.8% |
| C18 | French: Winawer Variation | 17 | 6/10/1 | 35.3% |
| C01 | French: Exchange Variation | 15 | 3/10/2 | 20.0% |
| C10 | French Defense | 14 | 4/5/5 | 28.6% |
| D03 | Indian Defense | 10 | 0/5/5 | 0.0% |
| C00 | King's Indian Attack | 7 | 2/5/0 | 28.6% |
| A34 | English Opening | 5 | 1/0/4 | 20.0% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 4 | 2/1/1 | 50.0% |
| D02 | Queen's Pawn Game | 3 | 0/2/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1995 | Vladimir Okhotnik | 2,440 | Sarospatak Open A | C01 |
| Jan 1994 | Gyula Emodi | 2,365 | Sarospatak Open | E62 |
| Nov 2005 | Ladislav Kotan | 2,364 | Piestany Open | C06 |
| Sep 2007 | Karol Motuz | 2,318 | Tatry Open | D80 |
| Jan 1995 | Gyorgy Kocsis | 2,290 | Sarospatak Open A | E68 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatry Open | 2011 | 56 | 26.5 | 2,040 |
| Piestany Pressburg Open | 2009 | 17 | 9.5 | 2,059 |
| Bratislava Slovan Open | 1991 | 17 | 9 | 2,366 |
| Piestany Open | 2005 | 14 | 9.5 | 2,295 |
| chT1E-SVK 9899 | 1999 | 10 | 5 | 2,168 |
| chT2D-SVK 2324 | 2024 | 10 | 5.5 | 1,932 |
| chT-SVK 2D 1314 | 2014 | 9 | 5.5 | 2,131 |
| chT1E-SVK 0001 | 2001 | 9 | 3.5 | 2,061 |
Interactive opening tree from all 306 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Daniel Koval's chess games?
306 games by Daniel Koval, 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 Daniel Koval has played.
What does Daniel Koval play on the first move as White?
Across 154 games with White in our database, Daniel Koval opens with 1.c4 (95% of games), 1.d4 (2% of games), 1.Nf3 (1% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Daniel Koval answers 1...e6 (99% of games), 1...c5 (1% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (95% of games), 1...d5 (2% of games), 1...e6 (2% of games).
What openings does Daniel Koval play as White?
As White, Daniel Koval's most-played openings in our database are: English Opening (53 games, 35.8% win rate); English Opening: Reverse Sicilian (28 games, 46.4% win rate); English Opening: Slav Setup (10 games, 20.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 154 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Daniel Koval play as Black?
As Black, Daniel Koval most often plays: Grünfeld Defense (27 games, 22.2% win rate); French: Tarrasch Variation (27 games, 14.8% win rate); French: Winawer Variation (17 games, 35.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 152 games.
What is Daniel Koval's FIDE rating?
Daniel Koval is currently rated 1,976 in classical chess, 2,076 in rapid and 1,983 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,203 (Jul 2003).
How many games has Daniel Koval played?
Our database contains 306 games by Daniel Koval, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 94 wins, 143 draws, 69 losses (30.7% win rate).
How do I prepare against Daniel Koval?
306 games by Daniel Koval 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.