Prepare against Lovers Mthembu
ZAF · World #48,443 classical · FIDE ID 14332337
When preparing against Lovers Mthembu, expect 1.e4 in 100% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (100% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (75%).
Our database contains 30 games by Lovers Mthembu, covering Apr 2019 to Oct 2026. Below you'll find Lovers Mthembu's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Lovers Mthembu 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 | 1,900 | 1,910 | Jul 2026 |
| Rapid | 1,747 | 1,747 | Oct 2026 |
| Blitz | 1,849 | 1,880 | Dec 2024 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 30 | 13 | 4 | 12 | 43.3% |
| As White | 17 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 47.1% |
| As Black | 13 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 38.5% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Lovers Mthembu's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Lovers Mthembu's side.
First moves as White (17 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 17 | 100.0% | 52.9% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 100% of White games, 52.9% score
- …c5 (41% of these games) — Mthembu usually continues c3 (40.0% score)
- …e6 (29% of these games) — Mthembu usually continues d4 (70.0% score)
- …e5 (24% of these games) — Mthembu usually continues Nf3 (25.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (7 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 7 | 100.0% | 50.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (4 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 3 | 75.0% | 33.3% |
| d5 | 1 | 25.0% | 50.0% |
Lovers Mthembu's chess games
All 30 games by Lovers Mthembu in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2019 - 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: 13 wins, 4 draws, 12 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 5 | 2/0/3 | 40.0% |
| C01 | French: Exchange Variation | 4 | 2/1/1 | 50.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| B17 | Caro-Kann: Karpov Variation | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C68 | Ruy Lopez: Exchange | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| C63 | Ruy Lopez: Schliemann | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| C54 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C00 | French: Advance Variation | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| C44 | Scotch Game | 2 | 2/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C55 | Italian Game | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| E73 | King's Indian Defense: Averbakh System | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| D26 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| E90 | Benoni Defense | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| A05 | Réti Opening: Symmetrical Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C84 | Ruy Lopez | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C93 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| A48 | Queen's Pawn Game | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2024 | Ahmed Abdullah S Alrehaili | 2,086 | FISU World University ch-Blitz | C01 |
| Oct 2026 | Darshan Revinthran | 2,002 | FISU World University Championship Mind Sports 2026 | Classical | Men | C44 |
| Jun 2024 | Emmanuel Musasizi | 1,966 | FISU World University | A05 |
| Jun 2024 | Ahmed Mohammed A Alharthi | 1,951 | FISU World University | C54 |
| Jun 2024 | Abdallah Alfaitori | 1,947 | FISU World University | C01 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FISU World University | 2024 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,085 |
| Durban USSA Open | 2023 | 9 | 7.5 | 1,798 |
| FISU World University ch-Blitz | 2024 | 6 | 2 | 1,970 |
| FISU World University Championship Mind Sports 2026 | Classical | Men | 2026 | 6 | 1 | 1,968 |
Interactive opening tree from all 30 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Lovers Mthembu's chess games?
30 games by Lovers Mthembu, from Apr 2019 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 Lovers Mthembu has played.
What does Lovers Mthembu play on the first move as White?
Across 17 games with White in our database, Lovers Mthembu opens with 1.e4 (100% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Lovers Mthembu answers 1...e5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (75% of games), 1...d5 (25% of games).
What openings does Lovers Mthembu play as White?
As White, Lovers Mthembu's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Alapin (5 games, 40.0% win rate); French: Exchange Variation (4 games, 50.0% win rate); Sicilian (2 games, 50.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 17 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Lovers Mthembu play as Black?
As Black, Lovers Mthembu most often plays: Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (2 games, 0.0% win rate); Scotch Game (2 games, 100.0% win rate); Italian Game (1 games, 0.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 13 games.
What is Lovers Mthembu's FIDE rating?
Lovers Mthembu is currently rated 1,900 in classical chess, 1,747 in rapid and 1,849 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 1,910 (Jul 2026).
How many games has Lovers Mthembu played?
Our database contains 30 games by Lovers Mthembu, covering Apr 2019 to Oct 2026. Overall record: 13 wins, 4 draws, 12 losses (43.3% win rate).
How do I prepare against Lovers Mthembu?
30 games by Lovers Mthembu 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.