Prepare against Erick Zhao
IM · United States · World #1,272 classical · FIDE ID 30946930
Our database contains 578 games by Erick Zhao, covering Dec 2017 to Aug 2026. Below you'll find Erick Zhao's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Erick Zhao 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 | 2,428 | 2,428 | Aug 2026 |
| Rapid | 2,387 | 2,387 | Aug 2026 |
| Blitz | 2,414 | 2,414 | Aug 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 578 | 251 | 80 | 247 | 43.4% |
| As White | 295 | 134 | 42 | 119 | 45.4% |
| As Black | 283 | 117 | 38 | 128 | 41.3% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Erick Zhao's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Erick Zhao's side.
First moves as White (294 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 273 | 92.9% | 51.5% |
| c4 | 5 | 1.7% | 70.0% |
| d4 | 5 | 1.7% | 80.0% |
| b3 | 4 | 1.4% | 75.0% |
| Nf3 | 3 | 1.0% | 33.3% |
| f3 | 2 | 0.7% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 93% of White games, 51.5% score
- …c5 (49% of these games) — Zhao usually continues Nf3 (46.9% score)
- …e5 (23% of these games) — Zhao usually continues Nf3 (54.9% score)
- …e6 (10% of these games) — Zhao usually continues d4 (57.4% score)
- 1.c4 — 2% of White games, 70.0% score
- …Nf6 (60% of these games) — Zhao usually continues Qb3 (0.0% score)
- …e6 (20% of these games) — Zhao usually continues Nc3 (50.0% score)
- …e5 (20% of these games) — Zhao usually continues Nc3 (100.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (144 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 137 | 95.1% | 51.1% |
| c6 | 3 | 2.1% | 100.0% |
| e6 | 1 | 0.7% | 100.0% |
| e5 | 1 | 0.7% | 100.0% |
| Nc6 | 1 | 0.7% | 0.0% |
| Nf6 | 1 | 0.7% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (86 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 84 | 97.7% | 44.6% |
| d5 | 2 | 2.3% | 50.0% |
Erick Zhao's chess games
All 578 games by Erick Zhao in the Chess.ceo database (Dec 2017 - Aug 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: 251 wins, 80 draws, 247 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B53 | Sicilian | 40 | 12/5/23 | 30.0% |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 36 | 16/1/19 | 44.4% |
| B30 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 28 | 15/2/11 | 53.6% |
| C91 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 21 | 8/3/10 | 38.1% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 19 | 9/4/6 | 47.4% |
| C78 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 15 | 6/2/7 | 40.0% |
| C01 | French: Winawer Variation | 13 | 6/3/4 | 46.2% |
| B48 | Sicilian: Taimanov | 11 | 5/2/4 | 45.5% |
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 7 | 3/2/2 | 42.9% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 7 | 3/3/1 | 42.9% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 67 | 28/8/31 | 41.8% |
| D85 | Grünfeld Defense | 37 | 10/7/20 | 27.0% |
| B40 | Sicilian | 32 | 16/3/13 | 50.0% |
| D70 | Indian Defense | 21 | 7/6/8 | 33.3% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 12 | 3/1/8 | 25.0% |
| A15 | English Opening | 10 | 3/1/6 | 30.0% |
| A05 | Réti Opening | 9 | 3/0/6 | 33.3% |
| D02 | London System | 8 | 4/0/4 | 50.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 8 | 1/2/5 | 12.5% |
| B40 | Sicilian: Four Knights | 8 | 7/0/1 | 87.5% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2025 | Magnus Carlsen | 2,837 | Titled Tue Early | A22 |
| Jun 2024 | Hans Moke Niemann | 2,688 | Titled Tue Early | B12 |
| Jul 2020 | Etienne Bacrot | 2,673 | Titled Tue | B81 |
| Jul 2026 | Sarana,A | 2,664 | Titled Tue 14th Jul 2026 | C88 |
| Jun 2024 | Sanan Sjugirov | 2,661 | Titled Tue Early | B30 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titled Tuesday | 2026 | 325 | 153.5 | 2,301 |
| ch-USA U16 | 2024 | 14 | 8 | 2,399 |
| ch-North American U20 | 2023 | 13 | 7.5 | 2,201 |
| Wch U16 | 2023 | 11 | 7 | 2,303 |
| 12th PNWCC Online Blitz JP | 2020 | 11 | 5.5 | 2,355 |
| 2nd PNWCC Online Blitz JP | 2020 | 11 | 6 | 2,172 |
| 20th PNWCC Online Blitz JP | 2020 | 11 | 5 | 2,128 |
| World Youth Open U18 2026 | 2026 | 11 | 7.5 | 2,449 |
Interactive opening tree from all 578 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Erick Zhao's chess games?
578 games by Erick Zhao, from Dec 2017 to Aug 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 Erick Zhao has played.
What does Erick Zhao play on the first move as White?
Across 294 games with White in our database, Erick Zhao opens with 1.e4 (93% of games), 1.c4 (2% of games), 1.d4 (2% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Erick Zhao answers 1...c5 (95% of games), 1...c6 (2% of games), 1...e6 (1% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (98% of games), 1...d5 (2% of games).
What openings does Erick Zhao play as White?
As White, Erick Zhao's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (40 games, 30.0% win rate); Sicilian: Najdorf (36 games, 44.4% win rate); Sicilian: Rossolimo (28 games, 53.6% win rate). The full breakdown of 295 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Erick Zhao play as Black?
As Black, Erick Zhao most often plays: Sicilian: Najdorf (67 games, 41.8% win rate); Grünfeld Defense (37 games, 27.0% win rate); Sicilian (32 games, 50.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 283 games.
What is Erick Zhao's FIDE rating?
Erick Zhao is currently rated 2,428 in classical chess, 2,387 in rapid and 2,414 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,428 (Aug 2026).
How many games has Erick Zhao played?
Our database contains 578 games by Erick Zhao, covering Dec 2017 to Aug 2026. Overall record: 251 wins, 80 draws, 247 losses (43.4% win rate).
How do I prepare against Erick Zhao?
578 games by Erick Zhao 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.