Prepare against Michael Casella
FM · United States · World #21,444 classical · FIDE ID 2008394
When preparing against Michael Casella, expect 1.e4 in 71% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (65% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (87%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian as White, 28.6% over 21 games.
Our database contains 359 games by Michael Casella, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Michael Casella's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Michael Casella 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 | 2,045 | 2,359 | Apr 2004 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 359 | 116 | 84 | 155 | 32.3% |
| As White | 180 | 73 | 43 | 61 | 40.6% |
| As Black | 179 | 43 | 41 | 94 | 24.0% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Michael Casella's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Michael Casella's side.
First moves as White (180 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 127 | 70.6% | 52.8% |
| d4 | 28 | 15.6% | 58.9% |
| c4 | 25 | 13.9% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 71% of White games, 52.8% score
- …c5 (43% of these games) — Casella usually continues Nf3 (58.5% score)
- …e5 (20% of these games) — Casella usually continues Nf3 (45.0% score)
- …e6 (12% of these games) — Casella usually continues d4 (33.3% score)
- 1.d4 — 16% of White games, 58.9% score
- …Nf6 (54% of these games) — Casella usually continues c4 (61.5% score)
- …d5 (32% of these games) — Casella usually continues c4 (72.2% score)
- …f5 (4% of these games) — Casella usually continues Nf3 (0.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (84 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 55 | 65.5% | 40.9% |
| e5 | 20 | 23.8% | 22.5% |
| d6 | 5 | 6.0% | 10.0% |
| c6 | 4 | 4.8% | 12.5% |
As Black against 1.d4 (71 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 62 | 87.3% | 41.1% |
| d5 | 6 | 8.5% | 41.7% |
| d6 | 1 | 1.4% | 0.0% |
| e6 | 1 | 1.4% | 100.0% |
Michael Casella's chess games
All 359 games by Michael Casella in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2003 - 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: 116 wins, 84 draws, 155 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B42 | Sicilian | 21 | 6/5/10 | 28.6% |
| B93 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 13 | 7/2/4 | 53.8% |
| A64 | Catalan | 8 | 4/2/2 | 50.0% |
| C56 | Italian Game | 8 | 2/2/4 | 25.0% |
| C18 | French: Winawer Variation | 7 | 2/1/4 | 28.6% |
| C45 | Scotch Game | 6 | 3/2/1 | 50.0% |
| A26 | English Opening | 6 | 2/1/3 | 33.3% |
| B36 | Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon | 6 | 4/1/1 | 66.7% |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 6 | 4/1/1 | 66.7% |
| E97 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E97 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 14 | 3/1/10 | 21.4% |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 13 | 5/2/6 | 38.5% |
| B22 | Sicilian | 10 | 2/3/5 | 20.0% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 9 | 1/4/4 | 11.1% |
| D87 | Grünfeld Defense | 8 | 1/1/6 | 12.5% |
| A70 | Benoni Defense | 8 | 3/3/2 | 37.5% |
| A68 | King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack | 8 | 2/4/2 | 25.0% |
| A48 | Indian Defense | 8 | 3/1/4 | 37.5% |
| A16 | English Opening | 8 | 1/3/4 | 12.5% |
| A48 | King's Indian Defense | 6 | 1/4/1 | 16.7% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1999 | Suat Atalik | 2,598 | Continental Open | B67 |
| Sep 2004 | Melikset Khachiyan | 2,476 | Los Angeles Open | C41 |
| Jul 2006 | Jack Peters | 2,440 | Pacific Southwest Open 46th | B33 |
| Jul 2003 | Cyrus Lakdawala | 2,435 | ch-Southern California | D37 |
| Jul 2018 | Craig Hilby | 2,426 | ch-Southern California 30th | B06 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ch-Southern California | 2010 | 30 | 10.5 | 2,221 |
| ch-Nassau CC | 1994 | 20 | 11.5 | 2,330 |
| USA tt | 2014 | 19 | 9.5 | 2,179 |
| Nassau Masters 4th | 1994 | 19 | 10.5 | 2,328 |
| New York Open | 1998 | 17 | 4 | 2,233 |
| 22nd Los Angeles Metropolitan | 2012 | 9 | 2.5 | 2,102 |
| 3rd Los Angeles Metropolitan | 2011 | 9 | 4 | 2,269 |
| Los Angeles Metropolitan 4th | 2011 | 9 | 4 | 2,260 |
Interactive opening tree from all 359 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Michael Casella's chess games?
359 games by Michael Casella, from Apr 2003 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 Michael Casella has played.
What does Michael Casella play on the first move as White?
Across 180 games with White in our database, Michael Casella opens with 1.e4 (71% of games), 1.d4 (16% of games), 1.c4 (14% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Michael Casella answers 1...c5 (65% of games), 1...e5 (24% of games), 1...d6 (6% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (87% of games), 1...d5 (8% of games), 1...d6 (1% of games).
What openings does Michael Casella play as White?
As White, Michael Casella's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (21 games, 28.6% win rate); Sicilian: Najdorf (13 games, 53.8% win rate); Catalan (8 games, 50.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 180 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Michael Casella play as Black?
As Black, Michael Casella most often plays: King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (14 games, 21.4% win rate); Sicilian: Sveshnikov (13 games, 38.5% win rate); Sicilian (10 games, 20.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 179 games.
What is Michael Casella's FIDE rating?
Michael Casella is currently rated 2,045 in classical chess. Peak classical rating: 2,359 (Apr 2004).
How many games has Michael Casella played?
Our database contains 359 games by Michael Casella, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 116 wins, 84 draws, 155 losses (32.3% win rate).
How do I prepare against Michael Casella?
359 games by Michael Casella 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.