Prepare against Ilian Popov
BGR · World #24,015 classical · FIDE ID 2907917
Our database contains 172 games by Ilian Popov, covering Apr 2005 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Ilian Popov's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Ilian Popov 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 | 2,025 | 2,248 | May 2010 |
| Rapid | 2,007 | 2,150 | Jan 2019 |
| Blitz | 2,026 | 2,203 | Feb 2021 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 172 | 77 | 33 | 62 | 44.8% |
| As White | 91 | 46 | 15 | 30 | 50.5% |
| As Black | 81 | 31 | 18 | 32 | 38.3% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Ilian Popov's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Ilian Popov's side.
First moves as White (91 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 85 | 93.4% | 57.6% |
| Nf3 | 4 | 4.4% | 87.5% |
| c4 | 2 | 2.2% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 93% of White games, 57.6% score
- …c5 (39% of these games) — Popov usually continues Nf3 (51.5% score)
- …e5 (21% of these games) — Popov usually continues Nf3 (63.9% score)
- …e6 (9% of these games) — Popov usually continues d4 (68.8% score)
- 1.Nf3 — 4% of White games, 87.5% score
- …Nf6 (75% of these games) — Popov usually continues c4 (83.3% score)
- …c5 (25% of these games) — Popov usually continues c4 (100.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (53 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 53 | 100.0% | 46.2% |
As Black against 1.d4 (16 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d5 | 16 | 100.0% | 53.1% |
Ilian Popov's chess games
All 172 games by Ilian Popov in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2005 - 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: 77 wins, 33 draws, 62 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B30 | Sicilian | 14 | 5/2/7 | 35.7% |
| B92 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 8 | 4/1/3 | 50.0% |
| B13 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | 7 | 3/1/3 | 42.9% |
| C91 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 6 | 4/1/1 | 66.7% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| B02 | Alekhine Defense | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation | 4 | 2/2/0 | 50.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B34 | Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 4 | 2/1/1 | 50.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B43 | Sicilian | 38 | 10/10/18 | 26.3% |
| D02 | Queen's Pawn Game | 7 | 3/2/2 | 42.9% |
| D20 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| A34 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 6 | 3/2/1 | 50.0% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 5 | 2/1/2 | 40.0% |
| B20 | Sicilian: Wing Gambit | 3 | 2/1/0 | 66.7% |
| A04 | Réti Opening | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| A17 | English Opening | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| D02 | London System | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2009 | Plamen Mladenov | 2,373 | Sofia Kirov Memorial | D26 |
| Aug 2024 | Todor Georgiev | 2,253 | ch-BUL | B06 |
| May 2010 | Mladen Gochev | 2,229 | 60th chT-BUL B | B47 |
| May 2010 | Dimitar Slavov | 2,227 | 60th chT-BUL B | A34 |
| Dec 2004 | Stojan Kuzmanov | 2,218 | 12th Baharov Memorial Open | C91 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60th chT-BUL B | 2010 | 9 | 5 | 2,236 |
| ch-BUL | 2024 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,172 |
| PNWCC-Bulgaria Hybrid Match 2 | 2021 | 8 | 2 | 1,700 |
| chT2-BUL | 2014 | 7 | 3 | 2,131 |
| Sofia Kirov Memorial | 2009 | 7 | 4 | 2,351 |
| 36th Sofia MGU Open | 2011 | 6 | 3.5 | 1,941 |
| 64th chT2-BUL | 2015 | 6 | 2.5 | 2,066 |
| 11th Sofia CSKA Open | 2009 | 6 | 3.5 | 2,167 |
Interactive opening tree from all 172 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Ilian Popov's chess games?
172 games by Ilian Popov, from Apr 2005 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 Ilian Popov has played.
What does Ilian Popov play on the first move as White?
Across 91 games with White in our database, Ilian Popov opens with 1.e4 (93% of games), 1.Nf3 (4% of games), 1.c4 (2% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Ilian Popov answers 1...c5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...d5 (100% of games).
What openings does Ilian Popov play as White?
As White, Ilian Popov's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (14 games, 35.7% win rate); Sicilian: Najdorf (8 games, 50.0% win rate); Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation (7 games, 42.9% win rate). The full breakdown of 91 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Ilian Popov play as Black?
As Black, Ilian Popov most often plays: Sicilian (38 games, 26.3% win rate); Queen's Pawn Game (7 games, 42.9% win rate); Queen's Gambit Accepted (6 games, 50.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 81 games.
What is Ilian Popov's FIDE rating?
Ilian Popov is currently rated 2,025 in classical chess, 2,007 in rapid and 2,026 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,248 (May 2010).
How many games has Ilian Popov played?
Our database contains 172 games by Ilian Popov, covering Apr 2005 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 77 wins, 33 draws, 62 losses (44.8% win rate).
How do I prepare against Ilian Popov?
172 games by Ilian Popov 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.