Prepare against Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez
Spain · World #45,047 classical · FIDE ID 2267802
When preparing against Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez, expect 1.Nc3 in 75% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e6 (29% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (50%).
Our database contains 30 games by Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez, covering Jul 2005 to Oct 2026. Below you'll find Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez 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 | 1,913 | 2,032 | Mar 2010 |
| Rapid | 1,926 | 2,003 | May 2014 |
| Blitz | 1,804 | 1,983 | Aug 2018 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 26.7% |
| As White | 16 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 25.0% |
| As Black | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 28.6% |
FIDE rated record
From FIDE's official rated-game ledger (2006-2026): 490 rated games against 418 different opponents, across 81 events in 1 countries. These counts cover FIDE-rated play only, so they differ from the database totals above.
By time control
| Format | Games | W | D | L | Win rate | Avg opp | Perf | Unbeaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 272 | 105 | 80 | 87 | 38.6% | 1,916 | 1,933 | 15 |
| Rapid | 126 | 65 | 13 | 48 | 51.6% | 1,799 | 1,836 | 4 |
| Blitz | 92 | 41 | 12 | 39 | 44.6% | 1,727 | 1,723 | 7 |
Against the field
| Opposition | Games | W | D | L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Against higher-rated | 190 | 26 | 43 | 121 | 13.7% |
| Against lower-rated | 278 | 168 | 58 | 52 | 60.4% |
Wins over titled players: 2 vs IM · 3 vs FM · 2 vs WFM.
Year by year
| Year | Games | W | D | L | Avg opp | Perf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 1,938 | 1,957 |
| 2025 | 38 | 20 | 5 | 13 | 1,887 | 1,954 |
| 2024 | 53 | 23 | 13 | 17 | 1,884 | 1,923 |
| 2023 | 44 | 19 | 7 | 18 | 1,813 | 1,803 |
| 2022 | 44 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 1,804 | 1,832 |
| 2021 | 20 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 1,784 | 1,884 |
| 2020 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1,271 | 1,171 |
| 2019 | 56 | 25 | 9 | 22 | 1,668 | 1,683 |
| 2018 | 47 | 25 | 8 | 14 | 1,763 | 1,850 |
| 2017 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 1,808 | 1,843 |
| 2016 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1,688 | 1,688 |
| 2015 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1,749 | 1,749 |
| 2014 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1,976 | 1,976 |
| 2013 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1,885 | 2,125 |
| 2012 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2,014 | 2,103 |
| 2011 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1,949 | 1,899 |
| 2010 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 2,006 | 1,935 |
| 2009 | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 2,069 | 2,069 |
| 2008 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 2,084 | 2,084 |
| 2007 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 2,104 | 1,978 |
| 2006 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2,138 | 1,938 |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez's side.
First moves as White (16 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | 12 | 75.0% | 33.3% |
| e4 | 2 | 12.5% | 50.0% |
| Nf3 | 2 | 12.5% | 25.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.Nc3 — 75% of White games, 33.3% score
- …c5 (50% of these games) — Menendez usually continues e4 (0.0% score)
- …e5 (42% of these games) — Menendez usually continues e4 (50.0% score)
- …Nf6 (8% of these games) — Menendez usually continues e4 (50.0% score)
- 1.e4 — 13% of White games, 50.0% score
- …g6 (50% of these games) — Menendez usually continues d4 (0.0% score)
- …Nf6 (50% of these games) — Menendez usually continues e5 (100.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (7 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e6 | 2 | 28.6% | 0.0% |
| c5 | 2 | 28.6% | 75.0% |
| Nc6 | 1 | 14.3% | 0.0% |
| d5 | 1 | 14.3% | 0.0% |
| e5 | 1 | 14.3% | 50.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (4 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 2 | 50.0% | 50.0% |
| c5 | 2 | 50.0% | 75.0% |
Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez's chess games
All 30 games by Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez in the Chess.ceo database (Jul 2005 - Oct 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: 8 wins, 6 draws, 16 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C26 | Vienna Game | 5 | 2/1/2 | 40.0% |
| A04 | Dunst Opening | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B30 | Sicilian: Closed | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| B03 | Alekhine Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B99 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| A30 | Queen's Indian Defense | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| A04 | English Opening | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A04 | Réti Opening | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| B40 | French Defense | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| A57 | Benoni Defense | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| E38 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B00 | Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| C60 | Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| D40 | Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B21 | Sicilian: Smith-Morra Gambit | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B48 | Sicilian: Taimanov | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| A29 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2007 | Ricardo Cebolla Moll | 2,094 | Cullera Open A | A04 |
| Jul 2007 | Cristobal Tarazona Macivor | 1,726 | Cullera Open A | A04 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cullera Open A | 2007 | 9 | 3.5 | 2,032 |
| 26th Cullera Open | 2005 | 8 | 5.5 | – |
| 27th La Pobla de Lillet Open | 2017 | 3 | 1 | 2,104 |
| Suances Open | 1997 | 2 | 0 | 2,097 |
| HUN Open | 1983 | 1 | 1 | – |
| IV Open Ajedrez de Navidad Rapidas Diagonal Alcorcon | 2026 | 1 | 0 | 2,036 |
| ch-ESP Seniors 50 | 2021 | 1 | 0 | 1,778 |
| ch-ESP Seniora 50 | 2022 | 1 | 0 | 1,908 |
Interactive opening tree from all 30 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez's chess games?
30 games by Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez, from Jul 2005 to Oct 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 Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez has played.
What does Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez play on the first move as White?
Across 16 games with White in our database, Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez opens with 1.Nc3 (75% of games), 1.e4 (13% of games), 1.Nf3 (13% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez answers 1...e6 (29% of games), 1...c5 (29% of games), 1...Nc6 (14% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (50% of games), 1...c5 (50% of games).
What openings does Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez play as White?
As White, Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez's most-played openings in our database are: Vienna Game (5 games, 40.0% win rate); Dunst Opening (4 games, 25.0% win rate); Sicilian: Closed (2 games, 0.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 16 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez play as Black?
As Black, Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez most often plays: Réti Opening (2 games, 50.0% win rate); French Defense (2 games, 0.0% win rate); Benoni Defense (2 games, 50.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 14 games.
What is Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez's FIDE rating?
Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez is currently rated 1,913 in classical chess, 1,926 in rapid and 1,804 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,032 (Mar 2010).
How many games has Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez played?
Our database contains 30 games by Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez, covering Jul 2005 to Oct 2026. Overall record: 8 wins, 6 draws, 16 losses (26.7% win rate).
How do I prepare against Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez?
30 games by Juan Carlos Sanz Menendez 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.