Prepare against Nelson Gamboa
IM · Colombia · World #5,397 classical · FIDE ID 4400151
When preparing against Nelson Gamboa, expect 1.e4 in 60% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (89% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (51%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian: Sveshnikov as Black, 40.0% over 15 games.
Our database contains 388 games by Nelson Gamboa, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Nelson Gamboa's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Nelson Gamboa 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 | 2,263 | 2,402 | Apr 2007 |
| Rapid | 2,236 | 2,322 | Sep 2022 |
| Blitz | 2,249 | 2,344 | Dec 2014 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 388 | 181 | 81 | 125 | 46.6% |
| As White | 194 | 94 | 44 | 56 | 48.5% |
| As Black | 194 | 87 | 37 | 69 | 44.8% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Nelson Gamboa's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Nelson Gamboa's side.
First moves as White (194 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 116 | 59.8% | 62.9% |
| d4 | 66 | 34.0% | 54.5% |
| Nf3 | 7 | 3.6% | 64.3% |
| c4 | 5 | 2.6% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 60% of White games, 62.9% score
- …c5 (59% of these games) — Gamboa usually continues Nc3 (66.2% score)
- …e5 (18% of these games) — Gamboa usually continues Nf3 (66.7% score)
- …e6 (6% of these games) — Gamboa usually continues f4 (0.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 34% of White games, 54.5% score
- …Nf6 (62% of these games) — Gamboa usually continues c4 (52.8% score)
- …d5 (21% of these games) — Gamboa usually continues c4 (50.0% score)
- …g6 (5% of these games) — Gamboa usually continues e4 (25.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (101 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 90 | 89.1% | 57.8% |
| g6 | 6 | 5.9% | 50.0% |
| e6 | 2 | 2.0% | 0.0% |
| c6 | 1 | 1.0% | 50.0% |
| d6 | 1 | 1.0% | 50.0% |
| d5 | 1 | 1.0% | 50.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (57 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 29 | 50.9% | 46.6% |
| f5 | 10 | 17.5% | 60.0% |
| d5 | 9 | 15.8% | 55.6% |
| g6 | 4 | 7.0% | 62.5% |
| d6 | 2 | 3.5% | 25.0% |
| e6 | 2 | 3.5% | 75.0% |
Nelson Gamboa's chess games
All 388 games by Nelson Gamboa 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: 181 wins, 81 draws, 125 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 37 | 22/5/10 | 59.5% |
| B44 | Sicilian | 18 | 10/3/5 | 55.6% |
| A57 | Benoni Defense | 11 | 5/2/4 | 45.5% |
| A55 | Indian Defense | 10 | 4/4/2 | 40.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 9 | 3/2/4 | 33.3% |
| C45 | Scotch Game | 6 | 3/0/3 | 50.0% |
| B85 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 5 | 2/2/1 | 40.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 5 | 1/4/0 | 20.0% |
| E12 | Queen's Indian Defense | 5 | 1/3/1 | 20.0% |
| E92 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 4 | 0/2/2 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B32 | Sicilian | 39 | 19/10/10 | 48.7% |
| B31 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 22 | 9/4/8 | 40.9% |
| A80 | Dutch Defense | 15 | 8/3/4 | 53.3% |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 15 | 6/1/8 | 40.0% |
| D02 | Indian Defense | 11 | 4/1/6 | 36.4% |
| B08 | Modern Defense | 8 | 2/3/3 | 25.0% |
| A13 | English Opening | 5 | 2/1/2 | 40.0% |
| E69 | King's Indian Defense | 5 | 1/1/3 | 20.0% |
| A25 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 5 | 3/0/2 | 60.0% |
| A54 | Queen's Pawn Game | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1997 | Gilberto Milos | 2,605 | Yopal | B33 |
| Oct 1998 | Robert Zelcic | 2,585 | Olympiad-33 | E54 |
| Jan 1989 | Maia Chiburdanidze | 2,520 | 17th World Open | B63 |
| Mar 2002 | Gildardo Garcia | 2,498 | Medellin Maracaibo club | B31 |
| Oct 1998 | Helgi Ass Gretarsson | 2,480 | Olympiad-33 | C00 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ch-COL | 2001 | 42 | 27.5 | 2,468 |
| ch-COL sf | 1999 | 17 | 14.5 | 2,593 |
| 1st Quito Copa Saeta | 1997 | 15 | 7 | 2,318 |
| Medellin | 2000 | 14 | 8.5 | 2,463 |
| 07th Guillermo Garcia Memorial A | 1999 | 13 | 2.5 | 2,201 |
| Guillermo Garcia Memorial-B 06th | 1998 | 13 | 4 | 2,185 |
| St Martin Open | 1993 | 12 | 7.5 | 2,514 |
| Bogota Lat Cup | 1992 | 11 | 7 | 2,487 |
Frequent opponents
Head-to-head records: Alonso Zapata (12 games)
Interactive opening tree from all 388 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Nelson Gamboa's chess games?
388 games by Nelson Gamboa, 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 Nelson Gamboa has played.
What does Nelson Gamboa play on the first move as White?
Across 194 games with White in our database, Nelson Gamboa opens with 1.e4 (60% of games), 1.d4 (34% of games), 1.Nf3 (4% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Nelson Gamboa answers 1...c5 (89% of games), 1...g6 (6% of games), 1...e6 (2% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (51% of games), 1...f5 (18% of games), 1...d5 (16% of games).
What openings does Nelson Gamboa play as White?
As White, Nelson Gamboa's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Closed (37 games, 59.5% win rate); Sicilian (18 games, 55.6% win rate); Benoni Defense (11 games, 45.5% win rate). The full breakdown of 194 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Nelson Gamboa play as Black?
As Black, Nelson Gamboa most often plays: Sicilian (39 games, 48.7% win rate); Sicilian: Rossolimo (22 games, 40.9% win rate); Dutch Defense (15 games, 53.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 194 games.
What is Nelson Gamboa's FIDE rating?
Nelson Gamboa is currently rated 2,263 in classical chess, 2,236 in rapid and 2,249 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,402 (Apr 2007).
How many games has Nelson Gamboa played?
Our database contains 388 games by Nelson Gamboa, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 181 wins, 81 draws, 125 losses (46.6% win rate).
How do I prepare against Nelson Gamboa?
388 games by Nelson Gamboa 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.