Prepare against Neil Coward
United Kingdom · World #100,959 classical · FIDE ID 437590
When preparing against Neil Coward, expect 1.e4 in 100% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (100% of games); against 1.d4, 1...d5 (84%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian: Smith-Morra Gambit as White, 27.3% over 22 games.
Our database contains 134 games by Neil Coward, covering Dec 2014 to Sep 2026. Below you'll find Neil Coward's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Neil Coward 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 | 1,726 | 1,863 | May 2015 |
| Rapid | 1,897 | 1,897 | Sep 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 134 | 47 | 44 | 43 | 35.1% |
| As White | 68 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 27.9% |
| As Black | 66 | 28 | 20 | 18 | 42.4% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Neil Coward's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Neil Coward's side.
First moves as White (68 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 68 | 100.0% | 45.6% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 100% of White games, 45.6% score
- …c5 (32% of these games) — Coward usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
- …e6 (18% of these games) — Coward usually continues d4 (37.5% score)
- …e5 (15% of these games) — Coward usually continues Nf3 (60.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (31 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 31 | 100.0% | 54.8% |
As Black against 1.d4 (19 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d5 | 16 | 84.2% | 68.8% |
| c5 | 3 | 15.8% | 50.0% |
Neil Coward's chess games
All 134 games by Neil Coward in the Chess.ceo database (Dec 2014 - 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: 47 wins, 44 draws, 43 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B21 | Sicilian: Smith-Morra Gambit | 22 | 6/10/6 | 27.3% |
| B03 | Alekhine Defense | 5 | 0/0/5 | 0.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 4 | 4/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C11 | French: Classical Variation | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B18 | Caro-Kann: Classical | 3 | 0/2/1 | 0.0% |
| C57 | Italian Game: Two Knights Defense | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| C01 | French: Exchange Variation | 2 | 0/2/0 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B34 | Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon | 10 | 3/2/5 | 30.0% |
| A36 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 8 | 1/2/5 | 12.5% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 7 | 4/2/1 | 57.1% |
| A05 | Sicilian | 6 | 1/1/4 | 16.7% |
| D02 | Queen's Pawn Game | 5 | 3/2/0 | 60.0% |
| D08 | Albin Countergambit | 5 | 4/1/0 | 80.0% |
| D10 | Slav Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| A43 | Benoni Defense | 3 | 0/3/0 | 0.0% |
| A38 | English Opening | 3 | 1/2/0 | 33.3% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 3 | 2/1/0 | 66.7% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2015 | Robert A Newton | 2,031 | Bolton Easter Open | D02 |
| Sep 2018 | Peter S Morton | 1,978 | Torquay Paignton Bloodworth Open | C58 |
| Jul 2024 | Malcolm Twigger-Ross | 1,978 | BCF-ch Penrose U2000 Open | A36 |
| Jul 2014 | Colin R Ramage | 1,970 | ch-BCF Week2 PM Open | C46 |
| Sep 2019 | Paul S N Kendall | 1,957 | Torquay Rowena Challengers | B27 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ch-BCF Week2 PM Open | 2015 | 10 | 7.5 | 1,994 |
| ch-BCF Week1 PM Open | 2016 | 9 | 5 | 1,866 |
| Torquay Paignton Bloodworth Open | 2018 | 7 | 4.5 | 512 |
| ch-BCF AM U1900 Open | 2024 | 6 | 4 | 1,890 |
| ch-BCF PM U2050 Open | 2024 | 6 | 3 | 1,684 |
| Torquay Rowena Challengers | 2019 | 6 | 3.5 | 1,920 |
| chT3-BCF 1415 (4NCL) | 2015 | 5 | 2 | 1,807 |
| 4NCL Bradford U2000 | 2026 | 5 | 3 | 1,856 |
Interactive opening tree from all 134 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Neil Coward's chess games?
134 games by Neil Coward, from Dec 2014 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 Neil Coward has played.
What does Neil Coward play on the first move as White?
Across 68 games with White in our database, Neil Coward opens with 1.e4 (100% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Neil Coward answers 1...c5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...d5 (84% of games), 1...c5 (16% of games).
What openings does Neil Coward play as White?
As White, Neil Coward's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Smith-Morra Gambit (22 games, 27.3% win rate); Alekhine Defense (5 games, 0.0% win rate); Italian Game (5 games, 60.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 68 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Neil Coward play as Black?
As Black, Neil Coward most often plays: Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon (10 games, 30.0% win rate); English Opening: Symmetrical (8 games, 12.5% win rate); Sicilian: Closed (7 games, 57.1% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 66 games.
What is Neil Coward's FIDE rating?
Neil Coward is currently rated 1,726 in classical chess, 1,897 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 1,863 (May 2015).
How many games has Neil Coward played?
Our database contains 134 games by Neil Coward, covering Dec 2014 to Sep 2026. Overall record: 47 wins, 44 draws, 43 losses (35.1% win rate).
How do I prepare against Neil Coward?
134 games by Neil Coward 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.