Prepare against Derek Li
United States · World #62,103 classical · FIDE ID 39940764
When preparing against Derek Li, expect 1.e4 in 100% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (67% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (100%).
Our database contains 30 games by Derek Li, covering Dec 2023 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Derek Li's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Derek Li 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 | 1,849 | 1,866 | Apr 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 30 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 50.0% |
| As White | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 56.3% |
| As Black | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 42.9% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Derek Li's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Derek Li's side.
First moves as White (16 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 16 | 100.0% | 65.6% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 100% of White games, 65.6% score
- …c5 (44% of these games) — Li usually continues Nf3 (64.3% score)
- …e5 (19% of these games) — Li usually continues Nf3 (66.7% score)
- …d6 (13% of these games) — Li usually continues d4 (75.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (6 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 4 | 66.7% | 50.0% |
| c5 | 2 | 33.3% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (6 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 6 | 100.0% | 41.7% |
Derek Li's chess games
All 30 games by Derek Li in the Chess.ceo database (Dec 2023 - 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: 15 wins, 6 draws, 9 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B35 | Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| B83 | Sicilian: Scheveningen | 2 | 2/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| C57 | Italian Game: Two Knights Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B00 | Owen Defense | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| C55 | Philidor | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B95 | Sicilian | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B00 | French Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A48 | Indian Defense | 2 | 2/0/0 | 100.0% |
| A45 | Queen's Pawn Game | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| E90 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| C92 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| C68 | Ruy Lopez: Exchange | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| A00 | Hungarian Opening | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B57 | Sicilian: Closed | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| E61 | King's Indian Defense | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2005 | Darrell Turner | 1,768 | Michigan Class B | B07 |
| Sep 2004 | Atulya Shetty | 1,409 | Lansing Open | B83 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing Open | 2004 | 10 | 5.5 | 1,395 |
| Motor City Open | 2002 | 4 | 2 | 1,486 |
| Auburn Hills Open | 2004 | 4 | 2 | 1,562 |
| Michigan Class B | 2005 | 4 | 3.5 | 1,981 |
| Warren Bottom-Half U1700 Open | 2004 | 3 | 1 | 1,443 |
| Flint Summer Scholastic Open | 2002 | 3 | 2 | 1,326 |
| Romulus Open | 2002 | 2 | 2 | 1,325 |
Interactive opening tree from all 30 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Derek Li's chess games?
30 games by Derek Li, from Dec 2023 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 Derek Li has played.
What does Derek Li play on the first move as White?
Across 16 games with White in our database, Derek Li opens with 1.e4 (100% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Derek Li answers 1...e5 (67% of games), 1...c5 (33% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (100% of games).
What openings does Derek Li play as White?
As White, Derek Li's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon (3 games, 66.7% win rate); Sicilian: Scheveningen (2 games, 100.0% win rate); Pirc Defense (2 games, 50.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 16 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Derek Li play as Black?
As Black, Derek Li most often plays: Indian Defense (2 games, 100.0% win rate); Queen's Pawn Game (2 games, 0.0% win rate); Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo (2 games, 50.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 14 games.
What is Derek Li's FIDE rating?
Derek Li is currently rated 1,849 in classical chess. Peak classical rating: 1,866 (Apr 2026).
How many games has Derek Li played?
Our database contains 30 games by Derek Li, covering Dec 2023 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 15 wins, 6 draws, 9 losses (50.0% win rate).
How do I prepare against Derek Li?
30 games by Derek Li 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.