Prepare against Matthew Dignam
CM · Ireland · World #11,665 classical · FIDE ID 2501422
When preparing against Matthew Dignam, expect 1.d4 in 47% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...d6 (39% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (58%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Richter-Veresov Attack as White, 46.7% over 15 games.
Our database contains 270 games by Matthew Dignam, covering Apr 2003 to Sep 2026. Below you'll find Matthew Dignam's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Matthew Dignam 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 | 2,146 | 2,214 | Nov 2025 |
| Rapid | 2,013 | 2,080 | Aug 2022 |
| Blitz | 2,042 | 2,080 | Aug 2022 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 270 | 111 | 63 | 96 | 41.1% |
| As White | 136 | 60 | 36 | 40 | 44.1% |
| As Black | 134 | 51 | 27 | 56 | 38.1% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Matthew Dignam's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Matthew Dignam's side.
First moves as White (136 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d4 | 64 | 47.1% | 56.3% |
| e4 | 54 | 39.7% | 61.1% |
| Nf3 | 12 | 8.8% | 41.7% |
| b3 | 4 | 2.9% | 75.0% |
| c4 | 2 | 1.5% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.d4 — 47% of White games, 56.3% score
- …Nf6 (58% of these games) — Dignam usually continues Nc3 (60.7% score)
- …d5 (27% of these games) — Dignam usually continues c4 (57.1% score)
- …d6 (6% of these games) — Dignam usually continues c4 (50.0% score)
- 1.e4 — 40% of White games, 61.1% score
- …c5 (37% of these games) — Dignam usually continues Nf3 (57.7% score)
- …e6 (24% of these games) — Dignam usually continues d4 (62.5% score)
- …c6 (13% of these games) — Dignam usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (69 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d6 | 27 | 39.1% | 53.7% |
| e6 | 27 | 39.1% | 48.1% |
| c5 | 8 | 11.6% | 37.5% |
| c6 | 4 | 5.8% | 37.5% |
| e5 | 2 | 2.9% | 0.0% |
| d5 | 1 | 1.4% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (45 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 26 | 57.8% | 44.2% |
| d6 | 12 | 26.7% | 66.7% |
| d5 | 5 | 11.1% | 30.0% |
| e6 | 1 | 2.2% | 100.0% |
| b6 | 1 | 2.2% | 100.0% |
Matthew Dignam's chess games
All 270 games by Matthew Dignam 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: 111 wins, 63 draws, 96 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D01 | Richter-Veresov Attack | 15 | 7/6/2 | 46.7% |
| A46 | Indian Defense | 10 | 3/4/3 | 30.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 7 | 2/2/3 | 28.6% |
| C06 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 7 | 2/4/1 | 28.6% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| A56 | Benoni Defense | 6 | 2/1/3 | 33.3% |
| A08 | King's Indian Attack | 5 | 2/1/2 | 40.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 4 | 2/0/2 | 50.0% |
| A01 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | 4 | 3/0/1 | 75.0% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 4 | 2/1/1 | 50.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 29 | 14/5/10 | 48.3% |
| E92 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 9 | 3/4/2 | 33.3% |
| C07 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 8 | 1/4/3 | 12.5% |
| A46 | Indian Defense | 7 | 4/0/3 | 57.1% |
| A41 | Rat Defense | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 6 | 2/3/1 | 33.3% |
| C00 | King's Indian Attack | 5 | 0/0/5 | 0.0% |
| D15 | Slav Defense | 5 | 0/0/5 | 0.0% |
| A41 | Queen's Pawn Game | 5 | 3/0/2 | 60.0% |
| A24 | English Opening | 4 | 2/1/1 | 50.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | Isak Storme | 2,452 | V Mindsports Int Open | C41 |
| Feb 2026 | Peter T Roberson | 2,444 | Isle of Wight Masters | A53 |
| Feb 2025 | Jose Camacho Collados | 2,345 | Wightlink Int Masters | A41 |
| Mar 2022 | Peter G Large | 2,335 | London Mill Hill Open U2400 | C01 |
| Mar 2004 | Alford Jason | 2,277 | — | C07 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92nd ch-BCF | 2005 | 11 | 4.5 | 2,089 |
| ch-BCF Major Open | 2013 | 11 | 8.5 | 2,240 |
| ch-BCF | 2003 | 11 | 4 | 2,168 |
| 26th Politiken Cup | 2004 | 10 | 6 | 2,261 |
| 4th London Mindsports Blitz Open | 2024 | 10 | 7 | 2,039 |
| Wightlink Int Masters | 2025 | 9 | 5 | 2,182 |
| Coventry Open | 2005 | 9 | 5 | 2,412 |
| 109th ch-GBR | 2023 | 9 | 4 | 2,076 |
Interactive opening tree from all 270 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Matthew Dignam's chess games?
270 games by Matthew Dignam, 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 Matthew Dignam has played.
What does Matthew Dignam play on the first move as White?
Across 136 games with White in our database, Matthew Dignam opens with 1.d4 (47% of games), 1.e4 (40% of games), 1.Nf3 (9% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Matthew Dignam answers 1...d6 (39% of games), 1...e6 (39% of games), 1...c5 (12% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (58% of games), 1...d6 (27% of games), 1...d5 (11% of games).
What openings does Matthew Dignam play as White?
As White, Matthew Dignam's most-played openings in our database are: Richter-Veresov Attack (15 games, 46.7% win rate); Indian Defense (10 games, 30.0% win rate); Sicilian: Alapin (7 games, 28.6% win rate). The full breakdown of 136 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Matthew Dignam play as Black?
As Black, Matthew Dignam most often plays: Pirc Defense (29 games, 48.3% win rate); King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (9 games, 33.3% win rate); French: Tarrasch Variation (8 games, 12.5% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 134 games.
What is Matthew Dignam's FIDE rating?
Matthew Dignam is currently rated 2,146 in classical chess, 2,013 in rapid and 2,042 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,214 (Nov 2025).
How many games has Matthew Dignam played?
Our database contains 270 games by Matthew Dignam, covering Apr 2003 to Sep 2026. Overall record: 111 wins, 63 draws, 96 losses (41.1% win rate).
How do I prepare against Matthew Dignam?
270 games by Matthew Dignam 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.