Prepare against Joel Van der Werf
NLD · World #11,013 classical · FIDE ID 1053620
When preparing against Joel Van der Werf, expect 1.e4 in 71% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (53% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (88%).
Our database contains 61 games by Joel Van der Werf, covering Jun 2015 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Joel Van der Werf's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Joel Van der Werf 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 | 2,154 | 2,186 | Mar 2026 |
| Rapid | 2,091 | 2,091 | Jul 2026 |
| Blitz | 2,097 | 2,141 | Jan 2025 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 61 | 19 | 17 | 25 | 31.1% |
| As White | 31 | 11 | 7 | 13 | 35.5% |
| As Black | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 26.7% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Joel Van der Werf's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Joel Van der Werf's side.
First moves as White (31 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 22 | 71.0% | 45.5% |
| d4 | 9 | 29.0% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 71% of White games, 45.5% score
- …c5 (36% of these games) — Werf usually continues Nf3 (56.3% score)
- …e5 (23% of these games) — Werf usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
- …c6 (9% of these games) — Werf usually continues Nc3 (0.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 29% of White games, 50.0% score
- …Nf6 (44% of these games) — Werf usually continues c4 (50.0% score)
- …d5 (33% of these games) — Werf usually continues c4 (33.3% score)
- …f5 (11% of these games) — Werf usually continues g3 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (19 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 10 | 52.6% | 40.0% |
| e5 | 7 | 36.8% | 28.6% |
| e6 | 2 | 10.5% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (8 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 7 | 87.5% | 50.0% |
| d5 | 1 | 12.5% | 50.0% |
Joel Van der Werf's chess games
All 61 games by Joel Van der Werf in the Chess.ceo database (Jun 2015 - 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: 19 wins, 17 draws, 25 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 3 | 3/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian | 3 | 0/0/3 | 0.0% |
| C84 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| C79 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| D11 | Slav Defense | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| C11 | French: Classical Variation | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| D36 | Indian Defense | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| A40 | English Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B10 | Caro-Kann: Two Knights Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B00 | Nimzowitsch Defense | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 4 | 0/3/1 | 0.0% |
| C47 | Scotch Game | 3 | 0/2/1 | 0.0% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| E00 | Catalan | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| A13 | English Opening: Neo-Catalan | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| D02 | Indian Defense | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| D38 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| C96 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| E36 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C41 | Danish Gambit | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | Marian Can Nothnagel | 2,434 | 27th HZ Open | C79 |
| May 2018 | Siem Van Dael | 2,268 | ch-NED U20 | E01 |
| Oct 2025 | Anna-Maja Kazarian | 2,244 | 3rd Amsterdam Chess Open | B94 |
| May 2025 | Herman Grooten | 2,184 | 15th WLC Weekender | D38 |
| Apr 2018 | Mark Bueno | 1,999 | ch-NED U20 | C96 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ch-NED U21 | 2015 | 9 | 2.5 | 1,781 |
| Maia Chess Open | 2025 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,094 |
| ch-NED U18 | 2016 | 9 | 4 | 1,775 |
| 26th Vlissingen HZ Open | 2024 | 7 | 3.5 | 2,135 |
| ch-NED U20 | 2018 | 7 | 2.5 | 1,932 |
| 27th HZ Open | 2025 | 5 | 2 | 2,376 |
| 15th WLC Weekender | 2025 | 5 | 4 | 2,346 |
| Maia Open | 2024 | 3 | 2.5 | 2,141 |
Interactive opening tree from all 61 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Joel Van der Werf's chess games?
61 games by Joel Van der Werf, from Jun 2015 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 Joel Van der Werf has played.
What does Joel Van der Werf play on the first move as White?
Across 31 games with White in our database, Joel Van der Werf opens with 1.e4 (71% of games), 1.d4 (29% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Joel Van der Werf answers 1...c5 (53% of games), 1...e5 (37% of games), 1...e6 (11% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (88% of games), 1...d5 (13% of games).
What openings does Joel Van der Werf play as White?
As White, Joel Van der Werf's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Najdorf (3 games, 100.0% win rate); Sicilian (3 games, 0.0% win rate); Ruy Lopez: Closed (2 games, 50.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 31 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Joel Van der Werf play as Black?
As Black, Joel Van der Werf most often plays: Sicilian: Sveshnikov (4 games, 0.0% win rate); Scotch Game (3 games, 0.0% win rate); Sicilian: Closed (3 games, 0.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 30 games.
What is Joel Van der Werf's FIDE rating?
Joel Van der Werf is currently rated 2,154 in classical chess, 2,091 in rapid and 2,097 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,186 (Mar 2026).
How many games has Joel Van der Werf played?
Our database contains 61 games by Joel Van der Werf, covering Jun 2015 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 19 wins, 17 draws, 25 losses (31.1% win rate).
How do I prepare against Joel Van der Werf?
61 games by Joel Van der Werf 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.