Prepare against Michael Ziems
DEU · World #50,382 classical · FIDE ID 24678490
When preparing against Michael Ziems, expect 1.d4 in 91% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e6 (77% of games); against 1.d4, 1...e6 (66%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Indian Defense as Black, 25.0% over 16 games.
Our database contains 326 games by Michael Ziems, covering Oct 2007 to Sep 2026. Below you'll find Michael Ziems's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Michael Ziems 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 | 1,892 | 1,905 | Jun 2024 |
| Rapid | 1,819 | 1,915 | Aug 2024 |
| Blitz | 1,896 | 1,981 | Apr 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 326 | 118 | 53 | 155 | 36.2% |
| As White | 171 | 56 | 27 | 88 | 32.7% |
| As Black | 155 | 62 | 26 | 67 | 40.0% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Michael Ziems's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Michael Ziems's side.
First moves as White (156 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d4 | 142 | 91.0% | 43.3% |
| e4 | 14 | 9.0% | 28.6% |
Main lines as White
- 1.d4 — 91% of White games, 43.3% score
- …Nf6 (46% of these games) — Ziems usually continues c4 (35.6% score)
- …d5 (39% of these games) — Ziems usually continues c4 (48.1% score)
- …d6 (5% of these games) — Ziems usually continues c4 (71.4% score)
- 1.e4 — 9% of White games, 28.6% score
- …c5 (36% of these games) — Ziems usually continues Nf3 (10.0% score)
- …c6 (29% of these games) — Ziems usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
- …e5 (14% of these games) — Ziems usually continues Nf3 (75.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (62 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e6 | 48 | 77.4% | 54.2% |
| c5 | 14 | 22.6% | 46.4% |
As Black against 1.d4 (41 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e6 | 27 | 65.9% | 38.9% |
| d5 | 14 | 34.1% | 53.6% |
Michael Ziems's chess games
All 326 games by Michael Ziems in the Chess.ceo database (Oct 2007 - 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: 118 wins, 53 draws, 155 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D10 | Slav Defense | 27 | 8/4/15 | 29.6% |
| D32 | Queen's Gambit Declined | 20 | 12/3/5 | 60.0% |
| E20 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | 15 | 6/1/8 | 40.0% |
| A56 | Benoni Defense | 13 | 1/0/12 | 7.7% |
| A50 | Indian Defense | 13 | 5/1/7 | 38.5% |
| D93 | Grünfeld Defense | 9 | 2/2/5 | 22.2% |
| A54 | Queen's Pawn Game | 6 | 3/2/1 | 50.0% |
| A52 | Budapest Defense | 6 | 3/2/1 | 50.0% |
| D20 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | 5 | 0/2/3 | 0.0% |
| E61 | King's Indian Defense | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D37 | Indian Defense | 16 | 4/3/9 | 25.0% |
| C14 | French: Classical Variation | 14 | 3/3/8 | 21.4% |
| C00 | French Defense | 13 | 8/1/4 | 61.5% |
| C01 | French: Exchange Variation | 10 | 6/1/3 | 60.0% |
| D02 | Queen's Pawn Game | 9 | 3/2/4 | 33.3% |
| E17 | Catalan | 9 | 2/2/5 | 22.2% |
| C05 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 7 | 3/0/4 | 42.9% |
| B30 | Sicilian | 7 | 3/1/3 | 42.9% |
| C00 | English Opening | 7 | 4/2/1 | 57.1% |
| D55 | Queen's Gambit Declined | 6 | 2/2/2 | 33.3% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2015 | Detlef Plump | 2,216 | 14th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | E20 |
| Aug 2009 | Volker Guelke | 2,168 | 8th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | C00 |
| Jul 2026 | Thomas Rieling | 2,088 | German Chess Championship 2026 | Chess960 | ? |
| Jun 2019 | Martin Gebigke | 2,086 | Berlin Werner Ott Open | E06 |
| Mar 2009 | Michael Popp | 2,069 | Mecklenburg VP LL2 West 0809 | E43 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin Werner Ott Open | 2019 | 18 | 5.5 | 1,906 |
| Berlin Unicorn Open | 2008 | 14 | 6.5 | 1,897 |
| FIDE World Bl Team Pool C | 2025 | 12 | 3.5 | 1,682 |
| FIDE World Rapid Team | 2025 | 12 | 5 | 1,808 |
| ch-Berlin QT | 2016 | 11 | 3 | 1,714 |
| 12th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2013 | 9 | 4.5 | 1,925 |
| 8th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2009 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,011 |
| 9th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2010 | 9 | 4 | 1,796 |
Interactive opening tree from all 326 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Michael Ziems's chess games?
326 games by Michael Ziems, from Oct 2007 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 Michael Ziems has played.
What does Michael Ziems play on the first move as White?
Across 156 games with White in our database, Michael Ziems opens with 1.d4 (91% of games), 1.e4 (9% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Michael Ziems answers 1...e6 (77% of games), 1...c5 (23% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...e6 (66% of games), 1...d5 (34% of games).
What openings does Michael Ziems play as White?
As White, Michael Ziems's most-played openings in our database are: Slav Defense (27 games, 29.6% win rate); Queen's Gambit Declined (20 games, 60.0% win rate); Nimzo-Indian Defense (15 games, 40.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 171 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Michael Ziems play as Black?
As Black, Michael Ziems most often plays: Indian Defense (16 games, 25.0% win rate); French: Classical Variation (14 games, 21.4% win rate); French Defense (13 games, 61.5% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 155 games.
What is Michael Ziems's FIDE rating?
Michael Ziems is currently rated 1,892 in classical chess, 1,819 in rapid and 1,896 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 1,905 (Jun 2024).
How many games has Michael Ziems played?
Our database contains 326 games by Michael Ziems, covering Oct 2007 to Sep 2026. Overall record: 118 wins, 53 draws, 155 losses (36.2% win rate).
How do I prepare against Michael Ziems?
326 games by Michael Ziems 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.