Prepare against Mark Heidenfeld
IM · Ireland · World #4,253 classical · FIDE ID 2500990
When preparing against Mark Heidenfeld, expect 1.e4 in 99% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e6 (55% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (36%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: French: Advance Variation as Black, 13.3% over 15 games.
Our database contains 692 games by Mark Heidenfeld, covering Apr 2003 to Sep 2026. Below you'll find Mark Heidenfeld's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Mark Heidenfeld 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 | 2,296 | 2,382 | Aug 2014 |
| Rapid | 2,367 | 2,376 | Nov 2023 |
| Blitz | 2,256 | 2,436 | Dec 2018 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 692 | 236 | 283 | 173 | 34.1% |
| As White | 353 | 125 | 153 | 75 | 35.4% |
| As Black | 339 | 111 | 130 | 98 | 32.7% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Mark Heidenfeld's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Mark Heidenfeld's side.
First moves as White (353 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 350 | 99.2% | 57.0% |
| d4 | 2 | 0.6% | 100.0% |
| a3 | 1 | 0.3% | 0.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 99% of White games, 57.0% score
- …c5 (41% of these games) — Heidenfeld usually continues Nf3 (56.1% score)
- …e5 (19% of these games) — Heidenfeld usually continues Nf3 (58.5% score)
- …e6 (17% of these games) — Heidenfeld usually continues d4 (55.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 1% of White games, 100.0% score
- …Nf6 (100% of these games) — Heidenfeld usually continues Nf3 (100.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (163 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e6 | 90 | 55.2% | 50.0% |
| e5 | 72 | 44.2% | 60.4% |
| d6 | 1 | 0.6% | 50.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (121 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 43 | 35.5% | 47.7% |
| e6 | 36 | 29.8% | 44.4% |
| d6 | 34 | 28.1% | 58.8% |
| d5 | 8 | 6.6% | 25.0% |
Mark Heidenfeld's chess games
All 692 games by Mark Heidenfeld in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2003 - Sep 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: 236 wins, 283 draws, 173 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B53 | Sicilian | 81 | 29/35/17 | 35.8% |
| C15 | French: Winawer Variation | 32 | 9/18/5 | 28.1% |
| C13 | French: Classical Variation | 23 | 5/14/4 | 21.7% |
| B02 | Alekhine Defense | 21 | 7/11/3 | 33.3% |
| C68 | Ruy Lopez: Exchange | 19 | 6/8/5 | 31.6% |
| B31 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 12 | 7/4/1 | 58.3% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 11 | 7/2/2 | 63.6% |
| B91 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 11 | 2/6/3 | 18.2% |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 10 | 3/4/3 | 30.0% |
| B18 | Caro-Kann: Classical | 8 | 2/4/2 | 25.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C10 | French Defense | 25 | 7/13/5 | 28.0% |
| A55 | Indian Defense | 24 | 4/10/10 | 16.7% |
| C11 | French: Classical Variation | 22 | 7/5/10 | 31.8% |
| A92 | Horwitz Defense | 21 | 3/8/10 | 14.3% |
| C10 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 20 | 8/8/4 | 40.0% |
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 20 | 9/8/3 | 45.0% |
| A41 | Rat Defense | 16 | 6/6/4 | 37.5% |
| A10 | English Opening | 16 | 4/4/8 | 25.0% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 15 | 2/6/7 | 13.3% |
| A08 | Réti Opening | 12 | 4/6/2 | 33.3% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2001 | Ian Rogers | 2,558 | Australian Open | B16 |
| Feb 2014 | Mark L Hebden | 2,549 | Bunratty Masters Open 21st | A41 |
| Jan 1997 | Vyacheslav Ikonnikov | 2,540 | 9th Staufer Open | B32 |
| Jan 1994 | Stuart C Conquest | 2,505 | Kilkenny Masters | C24 |
| Dec 2000 | Keith C Arkell | 2,481 | 2nd Vikings Challengers | E15 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ch-IRL | 2001 | 44 | 31 | 2,393 |
| ch-GER blitz | 2022 | 29 | 11.5 | 2,276 |
| Kilkenny Masters | 2013 | 27 | 15.5 | 2,370 |
| ch-Wuerttemberg | 1991 | 27 | 12 | 2,244 |
| Groningen Open | 1992 | 14 | 5 | 2,290 |
| Bodensee-Cup | 2021 | 12 | 7 | 2,444 |
| Bunratty Masters Open | 2001 | 12 | 7 | 2,398 |
| Olympiad-33 | 1998 | 12 | 8.5 | 2,513 |
Interactive opening tree from all 692 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Mark Heidenfeld's chess games?
692 games by Mark Heidenfeld, from Apr 2003 to Sep 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 Mark Heidenfeld has played.
What does Mark Heidenfeld play on the first move as White?
Across 353 games with White in our database, Mark Heidenfeld opens with 1.e4 (99% of games), 1.d4 (1% of games), 1.a3 (0% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Mark Heidenfeld answers 1...e6 (55% of games), 1...e5 (44% of games), 1...d6 (1% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (36% of games), 1...e6 (30% of games), 1...d6 (28% of games).
What openings does Mark Heidenfeld play as White?
As White, Mark Heidenfeld's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (81 games, 35.8% win rate); French: Winawer Variation (32 games, 28.1% win rate); French: Classical Variation (23 games, 21.7% win rate). The full breakdown of 353 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Mark Heidenfeld play as Black?
As Black, Mark Heidenfeld most often plays: French Defense (25 games, 28.0% win rate); Indian Defense (24 games, 16.7% win rate); French: Classical Variation (22 games, 31.8% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 339 games.
What is Mark Heidenfeld's FIDE rating?
Mark Heidenfeld is currently rated 2,296 in classical chess, 2,367 in rapid and 2,256 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,382 (Aug 2014).
How many games has Mark Heidenfeld played?
Our database contains 692 games by Mark Heidenfeld, covering Apr 2003 to Sep 2026. Overall record: 236 wins, 283 draws, 173 losses (34.1% win rate).
How do I prepare against Mark Heidenfeld?
692 games by Mark Heidenfeld 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.