Prepare against James Branson
France · World #120,444 classical · FIDE ID 655937
When preparing against James Branson, expect 1.e4 in 73% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (60% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (59%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: King's Gambit as White, 57.9% over 19 games.
Our database contains 242 games by James Branson, covering Apr 2006 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find James Branson's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout James Branson 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 | 1,672 | 1,923 | Apr 2006 |
| Rapid | 1,697 | 1,722 | May 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 242 | 103 | 27 | 112 | 42.6% |
| As White | 120 | 55 | 15 | 50 | 45.8% |
| As Black | 122 | 48 | 12 | 62 | 39.3% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of James Branson's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from James Branson's side.
First moves as White (120 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 87 | 72.5% | 53.4% |
| d4 | 32 | 26.7% | 50.0% |
| d3 | 1 | 0.8% | 0.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 73% of White games, 53.4% score
- …c5 (34% of these games) — Branson usually continues Nf3 (41.7% score)
- …e5 (24% of these games) — Branson usually continues f4 (71.1% score)
- …e6 (20% of these games) — Branson usually continues d4 (73.5% score)
- 1.d4 — 27% of White games, 50.0% score
- …d5 (41% of these games) — Branson usually continues c4 (62.5% score)
- …Nf6 (41% of these games) — Branson usually continues c4 (40.9% score)
- …e6 (9% of these games) — Branson usually continues c4 (0.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (48 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 29 | 60.4% | 50.0% |
| e6 | 15 | 31.3% | 46.7% |
| Nf6 | 2 | 4.2% | 50.0% |
| d6 | 1 | 2.1% | 0.0% |
| c5 | 1 | 2.1% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (39 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 23 | 59.0% | 47.8% |
| d5 | 16 | 41.0% | 40.6% |
James Branson's chess games
All 242 games by James Branson in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2006 - 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: 103 wins, 27 draws, 112 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C30 | King's Gambit | 19 | 11/5/3 | 57.9% |
| C06 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 8 | 5/1/2 | 62.5% |
| B20 | Sicilian: Wing Gambit | 8 | 5/1/2 | 62.5% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 7 | 3/0/4 | 42.9% |
| D32 | Queen's Gambit Declined | 6 | 2/0/4 | 33.3% |
| B21 | Sicilian | 6 | 1/1/4 | 16.7% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 5 | 1/0/4 | 20.0% |
| C15 | French: Winawer Variation | 5 | 5/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| D31 | Semi-Slav Defense | 4 | 2/1/1 | 50.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D47 | Slav Defense | 10 | 1/2/7 | 10.0% |
| A52 | Budapest Defense | 8 | 2/0/6 | 25.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 6 | 2/2/2 | 33.3% |
| A40 | English Opening | 6 | 2/0/4 | 33.3% |
| C34 | King's Gambit | 5 | 2/0/3 | 40.0% |
| D02 | London System | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 5 | 1/0/4 | 20.0% |
| A04 | Réti Opening | 5 | 0/0/5 | 0.0% |
| D00 | Queen's Pawn Game | 4 | 3/0/1 | 75.0% |
| A21 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2005 | Clement Billoire | 2,129 | 8th Montigny le Bretonneux Noel Open | D50 |
| Apr 2005 | Francois Scozzesi | 2,010 | Elancourt Open | C15 |
| Nov 2006 | Marc Plantet | 1,992 | 5th Montigny le Bretonneux Open | C02 |
| Nov 2006 | Udo Heimann | 1,978 | 5th Montigny le Bretonneux Open | B20 |
| Nov 2006 | Nicolas Forissier | 1,958 | 5th Montigny le Bretonneux Open | C34 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elancourt Open | 2006 | 18 | 8 | 1,708 |
| 10th Montigny le Bretonneux Noel Open | 2007 | 16 | 6 | 1,661 |
| 10th Elancourt Open | 2007 | 9 | 3.5 | 1,663 |
| Montigny Autumn-B 17th | 2018 | 9 | 3.5 | 1,485 |
| 11th Montigny le Bretonneux B | 2012 | 9 | 4 | 1,763 |
| 20th Montigny le Bretonneux 1hKO | 2016 | 9 | 5 | 1,728 |
| Montigny le Bretonneux-C 15th | 2016 | 9 | 4 | 1,384 |
| 21st Montigny le Bretonneux Open | 2017 | 9 | 6 | 1,686 |
Interactive opening tree from all 242 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find James Branson's chess games?
242 games by James Branson, from Apr 2006 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 James Branson has played.
What does James Branson play on the first move as White?
Across 120 games with White in our database, James Branson opens with 1.e4 (73% of games), 1.d4 (27% of games), 1.d3 (1% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, James Branson answers 1...e5 (60% of games), 1...e6 (31% of games), 1...Nf6 (4% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (59% of games), 1...d5 (41% of games).
What openings does James Branson play as White?
As White, James Branson's most-played openings in our database are: King's Gambit (19 games, 57.9% win rate); French: Tarrasch Variation (8 games, 62.5% win rate); Sicilian: Wing Gambit (8 games, 62.5% win rate). The full breakdown of 120 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does James Branson play as Black?
As Black, James Branson most often plays: Slav Defense (10 games, 10.0% win rate); Budapest Defense (8 games, 25.0% win rate); Italian Game (6 games, 33.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 122 games.
What is James Branson's FIDE rating?
James Branson is currently rated 1,672 in classical chess, 1,697 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 1,923 (Apr 2006).
How many games has James Branson played?
Our database contains 242 games by James Branson, covering Apr 2006 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 103 wins, 27 draws, 112 losses (42.6% win rate).
How do I prepare against James Branson?
242 games by James Branson 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.