Prepare against Ian McDonald
United Kingdom · World #24,427 classical · FIDE ID 2401541
When preparing against Ian McDonald, expect 1.e4 in 71% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (82% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (43%).
Our database contains 105 games by Ian McDonald, covering Jan 2009 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Ian McDonald's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Ian McDonald 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 | 2,022 | 2,022 | Jul 2026 |
| Rapid | 1,980 | 1,980 | Jul 2026 |
| Blitz | 2,181 | 2,181 | Jul 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 105 | 39 | 31 | 35 | 37.1% |
| As White | 52 | 20 | 14 | 18 | 38.5% |
| As Black | 53 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 35.8% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Ian McDonald's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Ian McDonald's side.
First moves as White (52 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 37 | 71.2% | 47.3% |
| d4 | 15 | 28.8% | 63.3% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 71% of White games, 47.3% score
- …c5 (35% of these games) — McDonald usually continues Nf3 (53.8% score)
- …e5 (22% of these games) — McDonald usually continues Nf3 (25.0% score)
- …c6 (14% of these games) — McDonald usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 29% of White games, 63.3% score
- …Nf6 (53% of these games) — McDonald usually continues Nc3 (64.3% score)
- …d5 (27% of these games) — McDonald usually continues Nc3 (75.0% score)
- …b5 (7% of these games) — McDonald usually continues e4 (100.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (28 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 23 | 82.1% | 47.8% |
| d6 | 4 | 14.3% | 75.0% |
| c5 | 1 | 3.6% | 50.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (14 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 6 | 42.9% | 16.7% |
| d5 | 4 | 28.6% | 75.0% |
| d6 | 4 | 28.6% | 75.0% |
Ian McDonald's chess games
All 105 games by Ian McDonald in the Chess.ceo database (Jan 2009 - 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: 39 wins, 31 draws, 35 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D00 | Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation | 9 | 5/1/3 | 55.6% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| A40 | Modern Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| C01 | French: Exchange Variation | 3 | 1/2/0 | 33.3% |
| B72 | Sicilian: Dragon | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| B29 | Sicilian | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| A45 | Queen's Pawn Game | 2 | 2/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B13 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B07 | Philidor | 5 | 3/2/0 | 60.0% |
| D02 | Queen's Pawn Game | 4 | 4/0/0 | 100.0% |
| A47 | Indian Defense | 4 | 0/1/3 | 0.0% |
| A25 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| C26 | Vienna Game | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| A41 | Rat Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| C87 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| A26 | English Opening | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2022 | Richard Polaczek | 2,360 | chT1-BCF S5 (4NCL) online | D00 |
| Oct 2024 | C Pinero | 2,305 | 3rd Manaus Open | D15 |
| May 2010 | David I Patrick | 2,262 | ch-Scotland | C66 |
| Jun 2012 | Daire McMahon | 2,229 | London e2e4 Diamond Jubilee Open | C55 |
| May 2010 | Edwin A Spencer | 2,174 | ch-Scotland | C33 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wch U14 | 2009 | 11 | 5 | 1,943 |
| 99th ch-GBR | 2012 | 11 | 3.5 | 1,894 |
| ch-SCO | 2009 | 9 | 4.5 | 1,917 |
| ch-EU U16 | 2012 | 9 | 4 | 2,006 |
| London e2e4 Diamond Jubilee Open | 2012 | 8 | 4 | 2,089 |
| 3rd Manaus Open | 2024 | 8 | 4.5 | 2,227 |
| 11th World ol U16 | 2012 | 7 | 2.5 | 1,750 |
| 11th Floripa Open | 2025 | 7 | 4.5 | 2,121 |
Interactive opening tree from all 105 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Ian McDonald's chess games?
105 games by Ian McDonald, from Jan 2009 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 Ian McDonald has played.
What does Ian McDonald play on the first move as White?
Across 52 games with White in our database, Ian McDonald opens with 1.e4 (71% of games), 1.d4 (29% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Ian McDonald answers 1...e5 (82% of games), 1...d6 (14% of games), 1...c5 (4% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (43% of games), 1...d5 (29% of games), 1...d6 (29% of games).
What openings does Ian McDonald play as White?
As White, Ian McDonald's most-played openings in our database are: Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation (9 games, 55.6% win rate); Scandinavian Defense: Main Line (3 games, 33.3% win rate); Modern Defense (3 games, 33.3% win rate). The full breakdown of 52 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Ian McDonald play as Black?
As Black, Ian McDonald most often plays: Philidor (5 games, 60.0% win rate); Queen's Pawn Game (4 games, 100.0% win rate); Indian Defense (4 games, 0.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 53 games.
What is Ian McDonald's FIDE rating?
Ian McDonald is currently rated 2,022 in classical chess, 1,980 in rapid and 2,181 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,022 (Jul 2026).
How many games has Ian McDonald played?
Our database contains 105 games by Ian McDonald, covering Jan 2009 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 39 wins, 31 draws, 35 losses (37.1% win rate).
How do I prepare against Ian McDonald?
105 games by Ian McDonald 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.