Prepare against Kari Nieminen
Finland · World #21,692 classical · FIDE ID 500739
When preparing against Kari Nieminen, expect 1.e4 in 97% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (90% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (93%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian as Black, 20.4% over 49 games.
Our database contains 371 games by Kari Nieminen, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Kari Nieminen's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Kari Nieminen 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 | 2,043 | 2,229 | Nov 2009 |
| Rapid | 2,123 | 2,127 | Feb 2016 |
| Blitz | 2,071 | 2,079 | Nov 2021 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 371 | 101 | 156 | 114 | 27.2% |
| As White | 179 | 59 | 78 | 42 | 33.0% |
| As Black | 192 | 42 | 78 | 72 | 21.9% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Kari Nieminen's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Kari Nieminen's side.
First moves as White (179 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 174 | 97.2% | 54.9% |
| c4 | 3 | 1.7% | 50.0% |
| g3 | 1 | 0.6% | 0.0% |
| Nf3 | 1 | 0.6% | 100.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 97% of White games, 54.9% score
- …c5 (42% of these games) — Nieminen usually continues Nc3 (57.0% score)
- …e5 (20% of these games) — Nieminen usually continues Nf3 (63.2% score)
- …e6 (11% of these games) — Nieminen usually continues d4 (57.9% score)
- 1.c4 — 2% of White games, 50.0% score
- …e5 (100% of these games) — Nieminen usually continues g3 (75.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (94 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 85 | 90.4% | 42.4% |
| d5 | 5 | 5.3% | 50.0% |
| g6 | 2 | 2.1% | 75.0% |
| e5 | 1 | 1.1% | 50.0% |
| e6 | 1 | 1.1% | 0.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (57 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 53 | 93.0% | 44.3% |
| e6 | 2 | 3.5% | 0.0% |
| d5 | 1 | 1.8% | 0.0% |
| d6 | 1 | 1.8% | 50.0% |
Kari Nieminen's chess games
All 371 games by Kari Nieminen in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2003 - 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: 101 wins, 156 draws, 114 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B31 | Sicilian: Closed | 39 | 13/19/7 | 33.3% |
| C90 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 20 | 10/10/0 | 50.0% |
| C19 | French: Winawer Variation | 15 | 6/7/2 | 40.0% |
| B30 | Sicilian | 12 | 2/6/4 | 16.7% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 7 | 2/4/1 | 28.6% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 6 | 3/2/1 | 50.0% |
| B13 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | 5 | 0/2/3 | 0.0% |
| C70 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation | 4 | 2/2/0 | 50.0% |
| B03 | Alekhine Defense | 4 | 1/3/0 | 25.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B63 | Sicilian | 49 | 10/17/22 | 20.4% |
| A37 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 11 | 2/4/5 | 18.2% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 10 | 3/5/2 | 30.0% |
| E41 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 10 | 2/4/4 | 20.0% |
| A25 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 8 | 2/4/2 | 25.0% |
| A38 | English Opening | 7 | 1/4/2 | 14.3% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 7 | 5/2/0 | 71.4% |
| A46 | Indian Defense | 7 | 1/2/4 | 14.3% |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 6 | 4/1/1 | 66.7% |
| E11 | Bogo-Indian Defense | 5 | 1/3/1 | 20.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1991 | Rune Djurhuus | 2,400 | Troll Masters | B50 |
| Jan 1997 | Norbert Coenen | 2,335 | Groningen Open | B60 |
| May 2016 | Ari Ziegler | 2,296 | Hasselbacken Open | B81 |
| Oct 2009 | Heikki Salo | 2,277 | chT-FIN 0910 | C90 |
| Jan 2002 | Jyrki Salonen | 2,261 | chT1B-FIN 0102 | B30 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troll Masters | 1994 | 17 | 5.5 | 2,256 |
| Budapest FS12 IM-A | 2000 | 12 | 3 | 2,084 |
| chT-FIN 1415 | 2015 | 11 | 5.5 | 2,137 |
| chT-FIN | 1994 | 11 | 3.5 | 2,086 |
| chT-FIN 2324 | 2024 | 10 | 5 | 2,145 |
| chT-FIN 9798 | 1998 | 9 | 3 | 2,130 |
| chT-FIN 1011 | 2011 | 9 | 1.5 | 2,114 |
| chT-FIN 0001 | 2001 | 9 | 3.5 | 2,147 |
Interactive opening tree from all 371 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Kari Nieminen's chess games?
371 games by Kari Nieminen, from Apr 2003 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 Kari Nieminen has played.
What does Kari Nieminen play on the first move as White?
Across 179 games with White in our database, Kari Nieminen opens with 1.e4 (97% of games), 1.c4 (2% of games), 1.g3 (1% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Kari Nieminen answers 1...c5 (90% of games), 1...d5 (5% of games), 1...g6 (2% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (93% of games), 1...e6 (4% of games), 1...d5 (2% of games).
What openings does Kari Nieminen play as White?
As White, Kari Nieminen's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Closed (39 games, 33.3% win rate); Ruy Lopez: Closed (20 games, 50.0% win rate); French: Winawer Variation (15 games, 40.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 179 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Kari Nieminen play as Black?
As Black, Kari Nieminen most often plays: Sicilian (49 games, 20.4% win rate); English Opening: Symmetrical (11 games, 18.2% win rate); Sicilian: Closed (10 games, 30.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 192 games.
What is Kari Nieminen's FIDE rating?
Kari Nieminen is currently rated 2,043 in classical chess, 2,123 in rapid and 2,071 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,229 (Nov 2009).
How many games has Kari Nieminen played?
Our database contains 371 games by Kari Nieminen, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 101 wins, 156 draws, 114 losses (27.2% win rate).
How do I prepare against Kari Nieminen?
371 games by Kari Nieminen 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.