Prepare against Erik Both
NLD · World #13,975 classical · FIDE ID 1010999
Our database contains 93 games by Erik Both, covering Jul 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Erik Both's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Erik Both 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 | 2,116 | 2,295 | Jan 2007 |
| Rapid | 2,122 | 2,185 | Aug 2017 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 93 | 40 | 17 | 36 | 43.0% |
| As White | 52 | 24 | 7 | 21 | 46.2% |
| As Black | 41 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 39.0% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Erik Both's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Erik Both's side.
First moves as White (52 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 46 | 88.5% | 51.1% |
| d4 | 3 | 5.8% | 33.3% |
| c4 | 3 | 5.8% | 100.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 88% of White games, 51.1% score
- …c5 (46% of these games) — Both usually continues Nf3 (67.5% score)
- …e6 (15% of these games) — Both usually continues d4 (16.7% score)
- …e5 (15% of these games) — Both usually continues Nf3 (70.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 6% of White games, 33.3% score
- …b6 (33% of these games) — Both usually continues Nf3 (0.0% score)
- …Nf6 (33% of these games) — Both usually continues Nf3 (100.0% score)
- …d5 (33% of these games) — Both usually continues Nf3 (0.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (26 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 13 | 50.0% | 38.5% |
| g6 | 13 | 50.0% | 57.7% |
As Black against 1.d4 (13 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| g6 | 10 | 76.9% | 50.0% |
| Nf6 | 3 | 23.1% | 66.7% |
Erik Both's chess games
All 93 games by Erik Both in the Chess.ceo database (Jul 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: 40 wins, 17 draws, 36 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B53 | Sicilian | 10 | 5/2/3 | 50.0% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 6 | 1/0/5 | 16.7% |
| B87 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
| B31 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 4 | 4/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 3 | 2/1/0 | 66.7% |
| B18 | Caro-Kann: Classical | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| C24 | Bishop's Opening | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| C53 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| A47 | Indian Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B06 | Modern Defense | 24 | 10/6/8 | 41.7% |
| B70 | Sicilian: Dragon | 7 | 1/1/5 | 14.3% |
| B28 | Sicilian | 3 | 1/2/0 | 33.3% |
| B25 | Sicilian: Closed | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B06 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| D93 | Grünfeld Defense | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| D85 | Indian Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| A00 | Mieses Opening | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2006 | Thomas Willemze | 2,396 | Tilburg Stukkenjagers Open A | B31 |
| Jan 2010 | Nikolai Skousen | 2,317 | Copenhagen Challenge | A45 |
| Oct 2008 | Marcel Roofthoofd | 2,243 | chT-BEL 0809 | C02 |
| Oct 2008 | Tieme Verlinde | 2,204 | chT-BEL 0809 | B28 |
| Aug 2006 | Michael Scoriels | 2,131 | 5th Charleroi Open | A48 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen Challenge | 2010 | 9 | 5 | 2,227 |
| 9th Brasschaat Open | 2009 | 9 | 6.5 | 2,228 |
| 15th Vlissingen HZ Open | 2011 | 8 | 4 | 2,144 |
| 5th Charleroi Open | 2006 | 8 | 5.5 | 2,314 |
| 15th Goch Open | 2004 | 7 | 4 | 2,152 |
| 25th Bethune Open A | 2004 | 6 | 3 | 2,114 |
| chT-BEL 0809 | 2009 | 5 | 3.5 | 2,349 |
| Spijkenisse Open | 2010 | 5 | 3 | 2,163 |
Interactive opening tree from all 93 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Erik Both's chess games?
93 games by Erik Both, from Jul 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 Erik Both has played.
What does Erik Both play on the first move as White?
Across 52 games with White in our database, Erik Both opens with 1.e4 (88% of games), 1.d4 (6% of games), 1.c4 (6% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Erik Both answers 1...c5 (50% of games), 1...g6 (50% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...g6 (77% of games), 1...Nf6 (23% of games).
What openings does Erik Both play as White?
As White, Erik Both's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (10 games, 50.0% win rate); French: Advance Variation (6 games, 16.7% win rate); Sicilian: Najdorf (5 games, 60.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 52 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Erik Both play as Black?
As Black, Erik Both most often plays: Modern Defense (24 games, 41.7% win rate); Sicilian: Dragon (7 games, 14.3% win rate); Sicilian (3 games, 33.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 41 games.
What is Erik Both's FIDE rating?
Erik Both is currently rated 2,116 in classical chess, 2,122 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 2,295 (Jan 2007).
How many games has Erik Both played?
Our database contains 93 games by Erik Both, covering Jul 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 40 wins, 17 draws, 36 losses (43.0% win rate).
How do I prepare against Erik Both?
93 games by Erik Both 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.