Prepare against Neil Graham
United Kingdom · World #82,331 classical · FIDE ID 408999
When preparing against Neil Graham, expect 1.d4 in 97% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (100% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (68%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Budapest Defense as Black, 16.7% over 18 games.
Our database contains 211 games by Neil Graham, covering Oct 2012 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Neil Graham's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Neil Graham 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 | 1,782 | 1,856 | Jul 2015 |
| Rapid | 1,720 | 1,824 | Mar 2024 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 211 | 57 | 97 | 57 | 27.0% |
| As White | 113 | 34 | 53 | 26 | 30.1% |
| As Black | 98 | 23 | 44 | 31 | 23.5% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Neil Graham's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Neil Graham's side.
First moves as White (113 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d4 | 110 | 97.3% | 53.6% |
| e4 | 3 | 2.7% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.d4 — 97% of White games, 53.6% score
- …Nf6 (50% of these games) — Graham usually continues f3 (55.7% score)
- …d5 (32% of these games) — Graham usually continues e4 (51.5% score)
- …d6 (8% of these games) — Graham usually continues Bg5 (66.7% score)
- 1.e4 — 3% of White games, 50.0% score
- …d5 (67% of these games) — Graham usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
- …e6 (33% of these games) — Graham usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (46 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 46 | 100.0% | 46.7% |
As Black against 1.d4 (40 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 27 | 67.5% | 44.4% |
| d5 | 13 | 32.5% | 50.0% |
Neil Graham's chess games
All 211 games by Neil Graham in the Chess.ceo database (Oct 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: 57 wins, 97 draws, 57 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D00 | Blackmar-Diemer Gambit | 66 | 16/35/15 | 24.2% |
| A45 | Paleface Attack | 14 | 5/5/4 | 35.7% |
| A41 | Rat Defense | 7 | 3/3/1 | 42.9% |
| E81 | King's Indian: Sämisch | 5 | 4/1/0 | 80.0% |
| C01 | Horwitz Defense | 4 | 2/1/1 | 50.0% |
| B07 | King's Pawn Game | 3 | 0/3/0 | 0.0% |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| A45 | Benoni Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| A47 | English Defense | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 32 | 8/14/10 | 25.0% |
| A51 | Budapest Defense | 18 | 3/9/6 | 16.7% |
| D06 | Queen's Gambit | 7 | 3/2/2 | 42.9% |
| D02 | Queen's Pawn Game | 6 | 2/2/2 | 33.3% |
| D02 | London System | 5 | 1/2/2 | 20.0% |
| C24 | Bishop's Opening | 5 | 0/5/0 | 0.0% |
| A16 | English Opening | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| B13 | Colle System | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| C30 | King's Gambit | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| D85 | Grünfeld Defense | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2007 | David J Cork | 2,026 | chT4-BCF 0708 (4NCL) | C42 |
| Jul 2015 | Robin J Nandi | 1,953 | Birmingham 4NCL Open B 3rd | D06 |
| Jan 2016 | Richard H Donaghay | 1,937 | chT4-BCF 1516 (4NCL) | A41 |
| Jun 2012 | Dipak K Shah | 1,929 | London e2e4 Diamond Jubilee Open C | C01 |
| Oct 2007 | Kevin Bryant | 1,920 | chT4-BCF 0708 (4NCL) | A41 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Rapidplay | 2024 | 11 | 4 | 1,634 |
| chT-BCF 4 0607 (4NCL) | 2007 | 10 | 5.5 | 1,855 |
| chT3N-BCF 1718 (4NCL) | 2018 | 10 | 3.5 | 1,677 |
| chT4-BCF 2223 (4NCL) | 2023 | 10 | 7 | 1,643 |
| chT4-BCF 1516 (4NCL) | 2016 | 10 | 6.5 | 1,786 |
| chT3-BCF 0809 (4NCL) | 2009 | 10 | 1.5 | 1,673 |
| chT3N-BCF 1617 (4NCL) | 2017 | 9 | 4 | 1,753 |
| chT4-BCF 0708 (4NCL) | 2008 | 9 | 7 | 2,109 |
Interactive opening tree from all 211 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Neil Graham's chess games?
211 games by Neil Graham, from Oct 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 Neil Graham has played.
What does Neil Graham play on the first move as White?
Across 113 games with White in our database, Neil Graham opens with 1.d4 (97% of games), 1.e4 (3% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Neil Graham answers 1...e5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (68% of games), 1...d5 (33% of games).
What openings does Neil Graham play as White?
As White, Neil Graham's most-played openings in our database are: Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (66 games, 24.2% win rate); Paleface Attack (14 games, 35.7% win rate); Rat Defense (7 games, 42.9% win rate). The full breakdown of 113 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Neil Graham play as Black?
As Black, Neil Graham most often plays: Petrov's Defense (32 games, 25.0% win rate); Budapest Defense (18 games, 16.7% win rate); Queen's Gambit (7 games, 42.9% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 98 games.
What is Neil Graham's FIDE rating?
Neil Graham is currently rated 1,782 in classical chess, 1,720 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 1,856 (Jul 2015).
How many games has Neil Graham played?
Our database contains 211 games by Neil Graham, covering Oct 2012 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 57 wins, 97 draws, 57 losses (27.0% win rate).
How do I prepare against Neil Graham?
211 games by Neil Graham 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.