Prepare against Istvan Karsai
Hungary · World #40,614 classical · FIDE ID 703087
When preparing against Istvan Karsai, expect 1.e4 in 87% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e6 (80% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (93%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian: Closed as White, 10.7% over 28 games.
Our database contains 248 games by Istvan Karsai, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Istvan Karsai's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Istvan Karsai 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 | 1,932 | 2,159 | Jul 2003 |
| Rapid | 1,984 | 2,085 | Jun 2014 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 248 | 65 | 104 | 79 | 26.2% |
| As White | 123 | 33 | 55 | 35 | 26.8% |
| As Black | 125 | 32 | 49 | 44 | 25.6% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Istvan Karsai's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Istvan Karsai's side.
First moves as White (123 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 107 | 87.0% | 48.1% |
| d4 | 8 | 6.5% | 50.0% |
| Nf3 | 6 | 4.9% | 58.3% |
| c4 | 2 | 1.6% | 75.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 87% of White games, 48.1% score
- …c5 (44% of these games) — Karsai usually continues Nc3 (34.5% score)
- …e5 (17% of these games) — Karsai usually continues Nf3 (44.4% score)
- …e6 (10% of these games) — Karsai usually continues d4 (59.1% score)
- 1.d4 — 7% of White games, 50.0% score
- …Nf6 (50% of these games) — Karsai usually continues c4 (33.3% score)
- …g6 (25% of these games) — Karsai usually continues c4 (50.0% score)
- …d5 (25% of these games) — Karsai usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (61 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e6 | 49 | 80.3% | 45.9% |
| c5 | 7 | 11.5% | 42.9% |
| c6 | 3 | 4.9% | 0.0% |
| e5 | 1 | 1.6% | 50.0% |
| d6 | 1 | 1.6% | 0.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (44 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 41 | 93.2% | 50.0% |
| e6 | 2 | 4.5% | 25.0% |
Istvan Karsai's chess games
All 248 games by Istvan Karsai in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 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: 65 wins, 104 draws, 79 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B26 | Sicilian: Closed | 28 | 3/14/11 | 10.7% |
| B43 | Sicilian | 9 | 2/5/2 | 22.2% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 9 | 2/5/2 | 22.2% |
| C19 | French: Winawer Variation | 6 | 2/4/0 | 33.3% |
| C68 | Ruy Lopez: Exchange | 5 | 1/1/3 | 20.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 5 | 3/0/2 | 60.0% |
| B13 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | 4 | 3/0/1 | 75.0% |
| B95 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 4 | 0/1/3 | 0.0% |
| C41 | Philidor | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| D02 | London System | 3 | 0/3/0 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C18 | French: Winawer Variation | 19 | 4/7/8 | 21.1% |
| D80 | Grünfeld Defense | 15 | 2/10/3 | 13.3% |
| D85 | Indian Defense | 10 | 4/2/4 | 40.0% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 9 | 1/4/4 | 11.1% |
| D02 | London System | 8 | 2/4/2 | 25.0% |
| C06 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 7 | 7/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C01 | French: Exchange Variation | 6 | 1/2/3 | 16.7% |
| A26 | English Opening | 5 | 2/1/2 | 40.0% |
| C00 | French Defense | 5 | 1/2/2 | 20.0% |
| A00 | Hungarian Opening | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1987 | Ferenc Berebora | 2,315 | ch-HUN Open | B26 |
| Jan 1987 | Gyorgy Dr. Gara | 2,305 | ch-HUN Open | C18 |
| Jan 2013 | Jozsef Brandics | 2,296 | chT2-HUN Toth 1213 | D00 |
| Jan 1996 | Gabor Nagyajtai | 2,290 | Nyiregyhaza Open | E81 |
| Jan 1996 | Tibor Jr Balazs | 2,250 | chT2-HUN | C19 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nyiregyhaza Open | 2005 | 54 | 28 | 2,192 |
| chT2-HUN 9899 | 1999 | 11 | 3 | 2,011 |
| chT2-HUN | 1997 | 11 | 7 | 2,345 |
| chT2-HUN 9798 | 1998 | 11 | 5.5 | 2,221 |
| chT2-HUN Toth 1011 | 2011 | 10 | 4 | 2,186 |
| chT2-HUN Toth 1819 | 2019 | 10 | 4.5 | 1,954 |
| chT2-HUN Toth 0910 | 2010 | 10 | 5.5 | 2,185 |
| chT2-HUN Toth 0203 | 2003 | 10 | 6 | 2,255 |
Interactive opening tree from all 248 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Istvan Karsai's chess games?
248 games by Istvan Karsai, from Apr 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 Istvan Karsai has played.
What does Istvan Karsai play on the first move as White?
Across 123 games with White in our database, Istvan Karsai opens with 1.e4 (87% of games), 1.d4 (7% of games), 1.Nf3 (5% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Istvan Karsai answers 1...e6 (80% of games), 1...c5 (11% of games), 1...c6 (5% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (93% of games), 1...e6 (5% of games).
What openings does Istvan Karsai play as White?
As White, Istvan Karsai's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Closed (28 games, 10.7% win rate); Sicilian (9 games, 22.2% win rate); Pirc Defense (9 games, 22.2% win rate). The full breakdown of 123 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Istvan Karsai play as Black?
As Black, Istvan Karsai most often plays: French: Winawer Variation (19 games, 21.1% win rate); Grünfeld Defense (15 games, 13.3% win rate); Indian Defense (10 games, 40.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 125 games.
What is Istvan Karsai's FIDE rating?
Istvan Karsai is currently rated 1,932 in classical chess, 1,984 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 2,159 (Jul 2003).
How many games has Istvan Karsai played?
Our database contains 248 games by Istvan Karsai, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 65 wins, 104 draws, 79 losses (26.2% win rate).
How do I prepare against Istvan Karsai?
248 games by Istvan Karsai 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.