Prepare against Jan Karsten
IM · ZAF · World #1,961 classical · FIDE ID 14350653
When preparing against Jan Karsten, expect 1.e4 in 91% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (52% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (73%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian: Najdorf as Black, 29.4% over 17 games.
Our database contains 239 games by Jan Karsten, covering Oct 2021 to Sep 2026. Below you'll find Jan Karsten's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Jan Karsten 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 | 2,386 | 2,386 | Sep 2026 |
| Rapid | 2,277 | 2,306 | Apr 2024 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 239 | 110 | 61 | 68 | 46.0% |
| As White | 122 | 63 | 30 | 29 | 51.6% |
| As Black | 117 | 47 | 31 | 39 | 40.2% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Jan Karsten's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Jan Karsten's side.
First moves as White (122 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 111 | 91.0% | 63.1% |
| d4 | 4 | 3.3% | 75.0% |
| Nf3 | 4 | 3.3% | 75.0% |
| c4 | 3 | 2.5% | 66.7% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 91% of White games, 63.1% score
- …c5 (40% of these games) — Karsten usually continues Nf3 (73.2% score)
- …e5 (33% of these games) — Karsten usually continues Nf3 (64.9% score)
- …c6 (14% of these games) — Karsten usually continues d4 (62.5% score)
- 1.d4 — 3% of White games, 75.0% score
- …Nf6 (75% of these games) — Karsten usually continues c4 (66.7% score)
- …e6 (25% of these games) — Karsten usually continues Nf3 (100.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (56 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 29 | 51.8% | 60.3% |
| e5 | 14 | 25.0% | 53.6% |
| c6 | 7 | 12.5% | 85.7% |
| e6 | 3 | 5.4% | 33.3% |
| Nf6 | 2 | 3.6% | 75.0% |
| b6 | 1 | 1.8% | 0.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (33 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 24 | 72.7% | 58.3% |
| d5 | 5 | 15.2% | 20.0% |
| e6 | 4 | 12.1% | 37.5% |
Jan Karsten's chess games
All 239 games by Jan Karsten in the Chess.ceo database (Oct 2021 - Sep 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: 110 wins, 61 draws, 68 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B28 | Sicilian | 16 | 10/3/3 | 62.5% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 12 | 6/3/3 | 50.0% |
| C95 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 12 | 4/4/4 | 33.3% |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 10 | 5/5/0 | 50.0% |
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 6 | 4/2/0 | 66.7% |
| C11 | French: Classical Variation | 6 | 2/0/4 | 33.3% |
| C43 | Petrov's Defense | 5 | 4/0/1 | 80.0% |
| C54 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 5 | 2/2/1 | 40.0% |
| B10 | Caro-Kann: Endgame Variation | 3 | 0/0/3 | 0.0% |
| C03 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 17 | 5/8/4 | 29.4% |
| A09 | English Opening | 8 | 2/4/2 | 25.0% |
| E91 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| C78 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 6 | 4/1/1 | 66.7% |
| B53 | Sicilian | 5 | 4/0/1 | 80.0% |
| D78 | Indian Defense | 4 | 1/2/1 | 25.0% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 4 | 4/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
| A48 | London System | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 4 | 2/1/1 | 50.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2023 | Yusnel Bacallao Alonso | 2,590 | Titled Tue Early | A48 |
| Sep 2026 | Lorenzo Lodici | 2,573 | 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad Samarkand 2026 | Open | Matches 1-12 | C84 |
| Apr 2023 | Paulius Pultinevicius | 2,532 | Titled Tue Early | B12 |
| Sep 2024 | Dylan Isidro Berdayes Ason | 2,474 | Olympiad-45 | B12 |
| Sep 2024 | Vilka Sipila | 2,462 | Olympiad-45 | B12 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titled Tuesday | 2025 | 48 | 26.5 | 2,305 |
| Kimberley Moja Open | 2023 | 14 | 9 | 2,146 |
| World Youth Open U16 2024 | 2024 | 11 | 6.5 | 2,267 |
| SA Adult Closed 2026 | Open | 2026 | 11 | 8 | 2,377 |
| 59th Wch U20 | 2022 | 11 | 4.5 | 2,057 |
| ch-RSA | 2024 | 11 | 6.5 | 2,239 |
| Wch U16 | 2023 | 10 | 7 | 2,313 |
| ch-Africa U20 | 2022 | 9 | 6.5 | 2,088 |
Interactive opening tree from all 239 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Jan Karsten's chess games?
239 games by Jan Karsten, from Oct 2021 to Sep 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 Jan Karsten has played.
What does Jan Karsten play on the first move as White?
Across 122 games with White in our database, Jan Karsten opens with 1.e4 (91% of games), 1.d4 (3% of games), 1.Nf3 (3% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Jan Karsten answers 1...c5 (52% of games), 1...e5 (25% of games), 1...c6 (13% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (73% of games), 1...d5 (15% of games), 1...e6 (12% of games).
What openings does Jan Karsten play as White?
As White, Jan Karsten's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (16 games, 62.5% win rate); Caro-Kann: Advance Variation (12 games, 50.0% win rate); Ruy Lopez: Closed (12 games, 33.3% win rate). The full breakdown of 122 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Jan Karsten play as Black?
As Black, Jan Karsten most often plays: Sicilian: Najdorf (17 games, 29.4% win rate); English Opening (8 games, 25.0% win rate); King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (6 games, 50.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 117 games.
What is Jan Karsten's FIDE rating?
Jan Karsten is currently rated 2,386 in classical chess, 2,277 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 2,386 (Sep 2026).
How many games has Jan Karsten played?
Our database contains 239 games by Jan Karsten, covering Oct 2021 to Sep 2026. Overall record: 110 wins, 61 draws, 68 losses (46.0% win rate).
How do I prepare against Jan Karsten?
239 games by Jan Karsten 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.