Prepare against Leif Karell
United States · World #85,660 classical · FIDE ID 2018020
When preparing against Leif Karell, expect 1.e4 in 84% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c6 (79% of games); against 1.d4, 1...d5 (100%).
Our database contains 47 games by Leif Karell, covering Apr 2003 to Aug 2026. Below you'll find Leif Karell's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Leif Karell 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 | 1,771 | 2,110 | Apr 2003 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 47 | 18 | 10 | 19 | 38.3% |
| As White | 25 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 32.0% |
| As Black | 22 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 45.5% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Leif Karell's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Leif Karell's side.
First moves as White (25 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 21 | 84.0% | 42.9% |
| Nf3 | 4 | 16.0% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 84% of White games, 42.9% score
- …c5 (38% of these games) — Karell usually continues Nf3 (25.0% score)
- …e5 (24% of these games) — Karell usually continues Nf3 (20.0% score)
- …e6 (10% of these games) — Karell usually continues d3 (50.0% score)
- 1.Nf3 — 16% of White games, 50.0% score
- …d5 (50% of these games) — Karell usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
- …c5 (25% of these games) — Karell usually continues c4 (100.0% score)
- …Nf6 (25% of these games) — Karell usually continues c4 (0.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (14 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c6 | 11 | 78.6% | 59.1% |
| c5 | 3 | 21.4% | 50.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (5 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d5 | 5 | 100.0% | 60.0% |
Leif Karell's chess games
All 47 games by Leif Karell in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2003 - Aug 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: 18 wins, 10 draws, 19 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A05 | Sicilian | 6 | 0/2/4 | 0.0% |
| C56 | Italian Game | 4 | 0/1/3 | 0.0% |
| B13 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| C07 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| D32 | Indian Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C00 | King's Indian Attack | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B00 | Owen Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C43 | Petrov's Defense | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B16 | Caro-Kann: Main Line | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
| B13 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| A06 | Semi-Slav Defense | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| B29 | Sicilian | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 2 | 0/2/0 | 0.0% |
| D00 | London System | 2 | 2/0/0 | 100.0% |
| D45 | Slav Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| A11 | English Opening: Slav Setup | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| E01 | Réti Opening | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2002 | Ilya Figler | 2,356 | 33rd Philadelphia National Open | B01 |
| Oct 2015 | Rostislav Taborsky | 2,220 | Washington Open | A34 |
| Oct 2015 | James Currie | 2,043 | Washington Open | B10 |
| Oct 2015 | Shelly Mays | 2,033 | Washington Open | B07 |
| Jul 2021 | Peter Snow | 1,750 | Virginia Seniors Open | D32 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA-chT Amateur East | 2009 | 7 | 5 | 2,764 |
| Washington Open | 2015 | 6 | 3.5 | 2,195 |
| 3rd Skyline Open | 2024 | 6 | 1.5 | 1,661 |
| Dulles Skyline Open B | 2022 | 6 | 3.5 | 1,673 |
| Virginia Seniors Open | 2021 | 5 | 3.5 | 2,071 |
| 33rd Philadelphia National Open | 2002 | 4 | 2.5 | 2,372 |
| 38th Atlantic Open | 2006 | 3 | 1 | 2,096 |
| 34th World Open | 2006 | 3 | 1.5 | 2,030 |
Interactive opening tree from all 47 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Leif Karell's chess games?
47 games by Leif Karell, from Apr 2003 to Aug 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 Leif Karell has played.
What does Leif Karell play on the first move as White?
Across 25 games with White in our database, Leif Karell opens with 1.e4 (84% of games), 1.Nf3 (16% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Leif Karell answers 1...c6 (79% of games), 1...c5 (21% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...d5 (100% of games).
What openings does Leif Karell play as White?
As White, Leif Karell's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (6 games, 0.0% win rate); Italian Game (4 games, 0.0% win rate); Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation (2 games, 0.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 25 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Leif Karell play as Black?
As Black, Leif Karell most often plays: Caro-Kann: Main Line (5 games, 60.0% win rate); Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation (3 games, 33.3% win rate); Semi-Slav Defense (3 games, 33.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 22 games.
What is Leif Karell's FIDE rating?
Leif Karell is currently rated 1,771 in classical chess. Peak classical rating: 2,110 (Apr 2003).
How many games has Leif Karell played?
Our database contains 47 games by Leif Karell, covering Apr 2003 to Aug 2026. Overall record: 18 wins, 10 draws, 19 losses (38.3% win rate).
How do I prepare against Leif Karell?
47 games by Leif Karell 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.