Prepare against Joe Varley

United Kingdom · World #23,418 classical · FIDE ID 461962

When preparing against Joe Varley, expect 1.e4 in 99% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (55% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (98%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Grünfeld Defense as Black, 27.8% over 18 games.

Our database contains 188 games by Joe Varley, covering Dec 2018 to Sep 2026. Below you'll find Joe Varley's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Joe Varley 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

Performance record

Move-by-move preparation stats

Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Joe Varley's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Joe Varley's side.

First moves as White (92 games)

Main lines as White

• 1.e4 — 99% of White games, 52.2% score
  • …c5 (42% of these games) — Varley usually continues Nf3 (44.7% score)
  • …e5 (14% of these games) — Varley usually continues Nf3 (61.5% score)
  • …c6 (14% of these games) — Varley usually continues d4 (62.5% score)
• 1.d4 — 1% of White games, 100.0% score
  • …Nf6 (100% of these games) — Varley usually continues c4 (100.0% score)

As Black against 1.e4 (40 games)

As Black against 1.d4 (41 games)

Joe Varley's chess games

All 188 games by Joe Varley in the Chess.ceo database (Dec 2018 - 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: 78 wins, 35 draws, 75 losses.

Openings as White

Openings as Black

Notable wins

Top events

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find Joe Varley's chess games?

188 games by Joe Varley, from Dec 2018 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 Joe Varley has played.

What does Joe Varley play on the first move as White?

Across 92 games with White in our database, Joe Varley opens with 1.e4 (99% of games), 1.d4 (1% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Joe Varley answers 1...c5 (55% of games), 1...e5 (45% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (98% of games).

What openings does Joe Varley play as White?

As White, Joe Varley's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (27 games, 40.7% win rate); French: Tarrasch Variation (11 games, 63.6% win rate); Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense (7 games, 71.4% win rate). The full breakdown of 92 games with White is in the table above.

What openings does Joe Varley play as Black?

As Black, Joe Varley most often plays: Grünfeld Defense (18 games, 27.8% win rate); Sicilian (8 games, 50.0% win rate); Sicilian: Closed (6 games, 33.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 96 games.

What is Joe Varley's FIDE rating?

Joe Varley is currently rated 2,030 in classical chess, 1,868 in rapid and 1,884 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,058 (Aug 2025).

How many games has Joe Varley played?

Our database contains 188 games by Joe Varley, covering Dec 2018 to Sep 2026. Overall record: 78 wins, 35 draws, 75 losses (41.5% win rate).

How do I prepare against Joe Varley?

188 games by Joe Varley 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.

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