Prepare against Maksim Popov
FM · Russia · World #4,307 classical · FIDE ID 54123968
When preparing against Maksim Popov, expect 1.e4 in 48% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e6 (40% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (77%).
Our database contains 259 games by Maksim Popov, covering Jul 2016 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Maksim Popov's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Maksim Popov 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 | 2,295 | 2,421 | Mar 2023 |
| Rapid | 2,352 | 2,352 | Jul 2026 |
| Blitz | 2,200 | 2,249 | Aug 2023 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 259 | 106 | 51 | 102 | 40.9% |
| As White | 128 | 59 | 25 | 44 | 46.1% |
| As Black | 131 | 47 | 26 | 58 | 35.9% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Maksim Popov's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Maksim Popov's side.
First moves as White (128 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 61 | 47.7% | 50.8% |
| d4 | 32 | 25.0% | 56.3% |
| Nf3 | 20 | 15.6% | 62.5% |
| c4 | 11 | 8.6% | 54.5% |
| b3 | 3 | 2.3% | 100.0% |
| g3 | 1 | 0.8% | 100.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 48% of White games, 50.8% score
- …c5 (48% of these games) — Popov usually continues Nf3 (42.5% score)
- …e5 (25% of these games) — Popov usually continues Nf3 (63.3% score)
- …c6 (11% of these games) — Popov usually continues d4 (64.3% score)
- 1.d4 — 25% of White games, 56.3% score
- …Nf6 (69% of these games) — Popov usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
- …d5 (22% of these games) — Popov usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
- …d6 (6% of these games) — Popov usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (55 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e6 | 22 | 40.0% | 59.1% |
| c5 | 20 | 36.4% | 45.0% |
| c6 | 6 | 10.9% | 50.0% |
| g6 | 3 | 5.5% | 33.3% |
| Nc6 | 2 | 3.6% | 0.0% |
| d6 | 1 | 1.8% | 50.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (53 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 41 | 77.4% | 39.0% |
| d5 | 11 | 20.8% | 45.5% |
| e6 | 1 | 1.9% | 0.0% |
Maksim Popov's chess games
All 259 games by Maksim Popov in the Chess.ceo database (Jul 2016 - 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: 106 wins, 51 draws, 102 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B50 | Sicilian | 13 | 3/4/6 | 23.1% |
| A46 | Indian Defense | 12 | 5/2/5 | 41.7% |
| A13 | English Opening | 9 | 6/1/2 | 66.7% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 8 | 4/1/3 | 50.0% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 7 | 4/1/2 | 57.1% |
| A07 | Réti Opening | 7 | 3/1/3 | 42.9% |
| C84 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 6 | 3/0/3 | 50.0% |
| A46 | Torre Attack | 5 | 3/0/2 | 60.0% |
| A30 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 4 | 2/2/0 | 50.0% |
| A04 | Modern Defense | 4 | 3/1/0 | 75.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E04 | Catalan | 11 | 4/1/6 | 36.4% |
| D37 | Indian Defense | 11 | 4/2/5 | 36.4% |
| A30 | English Opening | 8 | 4/4/0 | 50.0% |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 6 | 2/2/2 | 33.3% |
| A13 | Réti Opening | 6 | 1/1/4 | 16.7% |
| C03 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 5 | 2/1/2 | 40.0% |
| C11 | French: Classical Variation | 5 | 4/0/1 | 80.0% |
| E48 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 5 | 0/0/5 | 0.0% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 5 | 2/0/3 | 40.0% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 4 | 2/0/2 | 50.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2023 | Alexandr Fier | 2,606 | Titled Tue Early | A45 |
| Nov 2025 | Pavel Ponkratov | 2,587 | III Russian Team Cup | B12 |
| Oct 2025 | Arseniy Nesterov | 2,584 | ch-RUS Rapid 2025 | D11 |
| Mar 2023 | Jose Carlos Ibarra Jerez | 2,563 | Titled Tue Early | C13 |
| Mar 2023 | Ori Kobo | 2,548 | Titled Tue Early | C13 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titled Tuesday | 2024 | 55 | 32.5 | 2,372 |
| Orsha Masters 2 | 2026 | 9 | 5 | 2,268 |
| 28th Chigorin Memorial | 2021 | 9 | 6 | 2,119 |
| 22nd Voronezh Open B | 2018 | 9 | 4.5 | 1,881 |
| 31st chT-RUS | 2024 | 9 | 2.5 | 2,340 |
| 4th UZB President Open A | 2025 | 9 | 6 | 2,308 |
| 30th chT-RUS | 2023 | 9 | 4 | 2,426 |
| ch-Voronezh Region | 2018 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,197 |
Interactive opening tree from all 259 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Maksim Popov's chess games?
259 games by Maksim Popov, from Jul 2016 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 Maksim Popov has played.
What does Maksim Popov play on the first move as White?
Across 128 games with White in our database, Maksim Popov opens with 1.e4 (48% of games), 1.d4 (25% of games), 1.Nf3 (16% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Maksim Popov answers 1...e6 (40% of games), 1...c5 (36% of games), 1...c6 (11% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (77% of games), 1...d5 (21% of games), 1...e6 (2% of games).
What openings does Maksim Popov play as White?
As White, Maksim Popov's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (13 games, 23.1% win rate); Indian Defense (12 games, 41.7% win rate); English Opening (9 games, 66.7% win rate). The full breakdown of 128 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Maksim Popov play as Black?
As Black, Maksim Popov most often plays: Catalan (11 games, 36.4% win rate); Indian Defense (11 games, 36.4% win rate); English Opening (8 games, 50.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 131 games.
What is Maksim Popov's FIDE rating?
Maksim Popov is currently rated 2,295 in classical chess, 2,352 in rapid and 2,200 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,421 (Mar 2023).
How many games has Maksim Popov played?
Our database contains 259 games by Maksim Popov, covering Jul 2016 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 106 wins, 51 draws, 102 losses (40.9% win rate).
How do I prepare against Maksim Popov?
259 games by Maksim Popov 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.