Prepare against Hishaam Essop
ZAF · World #47,853 classical · FIDE ID 14306549
When preparing against Hishaam Essop, expect 1.e4 in 100% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (100% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (100%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian: Closed as White, 33.3% over 15 games.
Our database contains 71 games by Hishaam Essop, covering May 2012 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Hishaam Essop's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Hishaam Essop 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 | 1,902 | 1,905 | Oct 2024 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 71 | 27 | 14 | 30 | 38.0% |
| As White | 33 | 15 | 4 | 14 | 45.5% |
| As Black | 38 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 31.6% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Hishaam Essop's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Hishaam Essop's side.
First moves as White (33 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 33 | 100.0% | 51.5% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 100% of White games, 51.5% score
- …c5 (48% of these games) — Essop usually continues Nc3 (43.3% score)
- …e5 (15% of these games) — Essop usually continues Nf3 (60.0% score)
- …c6 (12% of these games) — Essop usually continues d3 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (20 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 20 | 100.0% | 42.5% |
As Black against 1.d4 (13 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 13 | 100.0% | 50.0% |
Hishaam Essop's chess games
All 71 games by Hishaam Essop in the Chess.ceo database (May 2012 - 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: 27 wins, 14 draws, 30 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B26 | Sicilian: Closed | 15 | 5/3/7 | 33.3% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 4 | 2/0/2 | 50.0% |
| C00 | King's Indian Attack | 4 | 3/0/1 | 75.0% |
| B10 | Caro-Kann | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| B06 | Pirc Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| B22 | Modern Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B13 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B04 | Alekhine Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C44 | Scotch Game | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B50 | Sicilian | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E67 | Indian Defense | 5 | 0/2/3 | 0.0% |
| C89 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 4 | 1/2/1 | 25.0% |
| E61 | King's Indian Defense | 4 | 3/1/0 | 75.0% |
| C77 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| C54 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| C45 | Scotch Game | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| E90 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| A05 | Réti Opening: Symmetrical Defense | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2019 | Shabir Hussain Bhawoodien | 2,063 | ch-RSA B | C56 |
| Aug 2018 | Deon Pick | 1,846 | chT-Western Province | C54 |
| Dec 2014 | Loay Sameer | 1,802 | World ol U16 | C54 |
| Dec 2014 | Diana Mirza | 1,768 | World ol U16 | B26 |
| Dec 2019 | Dumisa Jacob Nkosi | 1,762 | ch-RSA B | A05 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ch-RSA B | 2019 | 10 | 5.5 | 1,819 |
| Wch U16 | 2014 | 10 | 5 | 2,034 |
| 6th ch-World School U13 | 2010 | 9 | 4 | 1,615 |
| World ol U16 | 2014 | 8 | 2.5 | 1,918 |
| chT-RSA U18 | 2016 | 6 | 4.5 | 1,758 |
| chT-RSA U20 | 2018 | 6 | 5 | 1,663 |
| chT-RSA Regions | 2016 | 6 | 4 | 1,767 |
| South African Open | 2015 | 5 | 1 | 1,695 |
Interactive opening tree from all 71 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Hishaam Essop's chess games?
71 games by Hishaam Essop, from May 2012 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 Hishaam Essop has played.
What does Hishaam Essop play on the first move as White?
Across 33 games with White in our database, Hishaam Essop opens with 1.e4 (100% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Hishaam Essop answers 1...e5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (100% of games).
What openings does Hishaam Essop play as White?
As White, Hishaam Essop's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Closed (15 games, 33.3% win rate); Italian Game (4 games, 50.0% win rate); King's Indian Attack (4 games, 75.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 33 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Hishaam Essop play as Black?
As Black, Hishaam Essop most often plays: Indian Defense (5 games, 0.0% win rate); Ruy Lopez: Closed (4 games, 25.0% win rate); King's Indian Defense (4 games, 75.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 38 games.
What is Hishaam Essop's FIDE rating?
Hishaam Essop is currently rated 1,902 in classical chess. Peak classical rating: 1,905 (Oct 2024).
How many games has Hishaam Essop played?
Our database contains 71 games by Hishaam Essop, covering May 2012 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 27 wins, 14 draws, 30 losses (38.0% win rate).
How do I prepare against Hishaam Essop?
71 games by Hishaam Essop 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.