Prepare against Mark Saunders
United Kingdom · World #102,509 classical · FIDE ID 468410
When preparing against Mark Saunders, expect 1.e4 in 100% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e6 (47% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (85%).
Our database contains 60 games by Mark Saunders, covering Jul 2006 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Mark Saunders's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Mark Saunders 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 | 1,722 | 1,854 | Apr 2009 |
| Rapid | 1,767 | 1,814 | Feb 2026 |
| Blitz | 1,677 | 1,677 | Jul 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 60 | 20 | 12 | 28 | 33.3% |
| As White | 29 | 11 | 6 | 12 | 37.9% |
| As Black | 31 | 9 | 6 | 16 | 29.0% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Mark Saunders's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Mark Saunders's side.
First moves as White (29 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 29 | 100.0% | 48.3% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 100% of White games, 48.3% score
- …e6 (34% of these games) — Saunders usually continues d4 (35.0% score)
- …e5 (31% of these games) — Saunders usually continues f4 (58.3% score)
- …c5 (28% of these games) — Saunders usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (15 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e6 | 7 | 46.7% | 42.9% |
| d5 | 4 | 26.7% | 25.0% |
| d6 | 3 | 20.0% | 50.0% |
| e5 | 1 | 6.7% | 0.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (13 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 11 | 84.6% | 31.8% |
| e6 | 2 | 15.4% | 100.0% |
Mark Saunders's chess games
All 60 games by Mark Saunders in the Chess.ceo database (Jul 2006 - 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: 20 wins, 12 draws, 28 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B22 | Sicilian: Smith-Morra Gambit | 7 | 2/3/2 | 28.6% |
| C15 | French: Winawer Variation | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| C30 | King's Gambit | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| B03 | Alekhine Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| C05 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| C44 | Scotch Game | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| B00 | French Defense | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| C11 | French: Classical Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B25 | Sicilian: Closed | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| C56 | Italian Game | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
| A07 | Réti Opening | 3 | 0/2/1 | 0.0% |
| C18 | French: Winawer Variation | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| A57 | Benoni Defense | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| E94 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| A47 | Indian Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| A31 | English Opening | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2014 | Daniel Gregory | 2,077 | Muret Seniors Open | C15 |
| Oct 2008 | Jean-Pierre Ricroque | 1,988 | Cap d'Agde Cavalier Open | A57 |
| Jan 2008 | Jean-pierre Toucheboeuf | 1,700 | 10th Narbonne Open | B03 |
| Feb 2009 | Rene Rossignol | 1,690 | Pau Open | C30 |
| Dec 2009 | Isidro Diaz Redondo | 1,688 | 4th Huarte Puente Foral Open B | B40 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wch U20 | 1988 | 13 | 5.5 | 2,247 |
| Pau Open | 2009 | 9 | 4.5 | 1,938 |
| 4th Huarte Puente Foral Open B | 2009 | 7 | 2.5 | 1,570 |
| Muret Open Seniors | 2016 | 7 | 4 | 1,819 |
| Muret Seniors Open | 2014 | 6 | 3 | 1,857 |
| 10th Narbonne Open | 2008 | 4 | 2 | 1,880 |
| chT4-FRA 0809 | 2009 | 2 | 1 | 1,761 |
| Cap d'Agde Cavalier Open | 2008 | 2 | 1 | 2,037 |
Interactive opening tree from all 60 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Mark Saunders's chess games?
60 games by Mark Saunders, from Jul 2006 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 Mark Saunders has played.
What does Mark Saunders play on the first move as White?
Across 29 games with White in our database, Mark Saunders opens with 1.e4 (100% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Mark Saunders answers 1...e6 (47% of games), 1...d5 (27% of games), 1...d6 (20% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (85% of games), 1...e6 (15% of games).
What openings does Mark Saunders play as White?
As White, Mark Saunders's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Smith-Morra Gambit (7 games, 28.6% win rate); French: Winawer Variation (6 games, 50.0% win rate); King's Gambit (6 games, 50.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 29 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Mark Saunders play as Black?
As Black, Mark Saunders most often plays: Scandinavian Defense: Main Line (4 games, 25.0% win rate); Réti Opening (3 games, 0.0% win rate); French: Winawer Variation (3 games, 0.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 31 games.
What is Mark Saunders's FIDE rating?
Mark Saunders is currently rated 1,722 in classical chess, 1,767 in rapid and 1,677 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 1,854 (Apr 2009).
How many games has Mark Saunders played?
Our database contains 60 games by Mark Saunders, covering Jul 2006 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 20 wins, 12 draws, 28 losses (33.3% win rate).
How do I prepare against Mark Saunders?
60 games by Mark Saunders 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.