Prepare against Michael James
ZAF · World #35,011 classical · FIDE ID 14303175
When preparing against Michael James, expect 1.e4 in 78% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (100% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (90%).
Our database contains 65 games by Michael James, covering Sep 2012 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Michael James's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Michael James 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 | 1,959 | 2,055 | May 2016 |
| Rapid | 2,005 | 2,005 | Jul 2026 |
| Blitz | 2,002 | 2,054 | Jul 2016 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 65 | 34 | 11 | 20 | 52.3% |
| As White | 37 | 19 | 5 | 13 | 51.4% |
| As Black | 28 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 53.6% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Michael James's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Michael James's side.
First moves as White (37 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 29 | 78.4% | 60.3% |
| d4 | 7 | 18.9% | 42.9% |
| Nf3 | 1 | 2.7% | 100.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 78% of White games, 60.3% score
- …c5 (34% of these games) — James usually continues Nf3 (55.6% score)
- …e5 (34% of these games) — James usually continues Nf3 (65.0% score)
- …e6 (14% of these games) — James usually continues d4 (87.5% score)
- 1.d4 — 19% of White games, 42.9% score
- …Nf6 (100% of these games) — James usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (15 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 15 | 100.0% | 60.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (10 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 9 | 90.0% | 66.7% |
| e6 | 1 | 10.0% | 100.0% |
Michael James's chess games
All 65 games by Michael James in the Chess.ceo database (Sep 2012 - 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: 34 wins, 11 draws, 20 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C45 | Scotch Game | 5 | 3/0/2 | 60.0% |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 4 | 1/2/1 | 25.0% |
| C04 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 3 | 2/1/0 | 66.7% |
| B22 | Sicilian | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| E05 | Catalan | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| B00 | Owen Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| D78 | Indian Defense | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| E63 | King's Indian Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C01 | French Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C56 | Italian Game | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B54 | Sicilian | 14 | 7/2/5 | 50.0% |
| A61 | Benoni Defense | 3 | 2/1/0 | 66.7% |
| E63 | King's Indian Defense | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| D05 | Indian Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| D85 | Grünfeld Defense | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| E97 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| E46 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| A04 | Réti Opening | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| E62 | English Opening | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2019 | Kenny Solomon | 2,373 | ch-RSA | C45 |
| Dec 2019 | Daniel Barrish | 2,363 | ch-RSA | A61 |
| Jul 2015 | Donovan Van den Heever | 2,254 | South African Open | B07 |
| Dec 2019 | Benjamin Vincent Hercules | 2,209 | ch-RSA | B66 |
| Jul 2015 | Erick Takawira | 2,153 | South African Open | B89 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South African Open | 2015 | 11 | 6.5 | 2,250 |
| ch-RSA | 2019 | 11 | 4.5 | 2,133 |
| 8th Johannesburg FASU Blitz Open | 2016 | 10 | 7 | 1,953 |
| ch-Commonwealth RSA Open | 2011 | 8 | 4.5 | 2,380 |
| Witwatersrand USSA Cup | 2015 | 7 | 5.5 | 2,082 |
| 8th Johannesburg FASU Open | 2016 | 6 | 5 | 2,125 |
| chT-RSA Regions | 2016 | 5 | 2.5 | 1,853 |
| Commonwealth & RSA Open | 2013 | 4 | 1.5 | 2,122 |
Interactive opening tree from all 65 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Michael James's chess games?
65 games by Michael James, from Sep 2012 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 James has played.
What does Michael James play on the first move as White?
Across 37 games with White in our database, Michael James opens with 1.e4 (78% of games), 1.d4 (19% of games), 1.Nf3 (3% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Michael James answers 1...c5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (90% of games), 1...e6 (10% of games).
What openings does Michael James play as White?
As White, Michael James's most-played openings in our database are: Scotch Game (5 games, 60.0% win rate); Sicilian: Najdorf (4 games, 25.0% win rate); French: Tarrasch Variation (3 games, 66.7% win rate). The full breakdown of 37 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Michael James play as Black?
As Black, Michael James most often plays: Sicilian (14 games, 50.0% win rate); Benoni Defense (3 games, 66.7% win rate); King's Indian Defense (2 games, 50.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 28 games.
What is Michael James's FIDE rating?
Michael James is currently rated 1,959 in classical chess, 2,005 in rapid and 2,002 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,055 (May 2016).
How many games has Michael James played?
Our database contains 65 games by Michael James, covering Sep 2012 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 34 wins, 11 draws, 20 losses (52.3% win rate).
How do I prepare against Michael James?
65 games by Michael James 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.