Prepare against Nicola Capone
IM · Belgium · World #4,276 classical · FIDE ID 224715
When preparing against Nicola Capone, expect 1.e4 in 80% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (84% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (87%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian as White, 40.0% over 20 games.
Our database contains 332 games by Nicola Capone, covering Oct 2008 to Sep 2026. Below you'll find Nicola Capone's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Nicola Capone 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 | 2,295 | 2,426 | Feb 2016 |
| Rapid | 2,324 | 2,406 | Oct 2017 |
| Blitz | 2,263 | 2,263 | Sep 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 332 | 128 | 108 | 96 | 38.6% |
| As White | 164 | 63 | 49 | 52 | 38.4% |
| As Black | 168 | 65 | 59 | 44 | 38.7% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Nicola Capone's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Nicola Capone's side.
First moves as White (164 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 132 | 80.5% | 51.9% |
| d4 | 30 | 18.3% | 61.7% |
| Nf3 | 2 | 1.2% | 25.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 80% of White games, 51.9% score
- …c5 (40% of these games) — Capone usually continues Nf3 (53.1% score)
- …e6 (20% of these games) — Capone usually continues d4 (53.8% score)
- …e5 (14% of these games) — Capone usually continues Nf3 (40.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 18% of White games, 61.7% score
- …Nf6 (63% of these games) — Capone usually continues c4 (54.2% score)
- …d5 (23% of these games) — Capone usually continues c4 (64.3% score)
- …e6 (13% of these games) — Capone usually continues c4 (83.3% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (88 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 74 | 84.1% | 58.8% |
| e6 | 12 | 13.6% | 62.5% |
| c6 | 2 | 2.3% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (61 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 53 | 86.9% | 55.7% |
| e6 | 7 | 11.5% | 85.7% |
| d5 | 1 | 1.6% | 0.0% |
Nicola Capone's chess games
All 332 games by Nicola Capone in the Chess.ceo database (Oct 2008 - 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: 128 wins, 108 draws, 96 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B42 | Sicilian | 20 | 8/6/6 | 40.0% |
| C11 | French: Classical Variation | 10 | 5/1/4 | 50.0% |
| B86 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 9 | 1/4/4 | 11.1% |
| C05 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 7 | 0/6/1 | 0.0% |
| B09 | Pirc Defense | 6 | 3/2/1 | 50.0% |
| B47 | Sicilian: Taimanov | 6 | 2/1/3 | 33.3% |
| B19 | Caro-Kann: Classical | 5 | 2/3/0 | 40.0% |
| C16 | French: Winawer Variation | 5 | 1/2/2 | 20.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 5 | 0/1/4 | 0.0% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 5 | 3/0/2 | 60.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B56 | Sicilian | 43 | 19/10/14 | 44.2% |
| A47 | Indian Defense | 14 | 5/8/1 | 35.7% |
| A13 | English Opening | 12 | 2/3/7 | 16.7% |
| A32 | Benoni Defense | 8 | 4/2/2 | 50.0% |
| E11 | Bogo-Indian Defense | 6 | 2/4/0 | 33.3% |
| B52 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 6 | 4/2/0 | 66.7% |
| B07 | Sicilian: Alapin | 6 | 2/2/2 | 33.3% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 6 | 2/4/0 | 33.3% |
| C18 | French: Winawer Variation | 5 | 1/2/2 | 20.0% |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2016 | Krasimir Rusev | 2,548 | Olympiad-42 | E49 |
| Nov 2013 | Ralf Akesson | 2,456 | Leuven Open 25th | B47 |
| Aug 2016 | Vladimir Okhotnik | 2,454 | Charleroi Open | B07 |
| Feb 2016 | Steven Geirnaert | 2,441 | Wachtebeke | E48 |
| Jun 2012 | Jean-Fabien Decosse | 2,440 | Le Port Marly Paribas Blitz Open | A65 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleroi Open | 2019 | 42 | 24 | 2,264 |
| ch-BEL U20 | 2014 | 18 | 9.5 | 2,072 |
| 51st Wch U20 | 2012 | 13 | 4 | 2,030 |
| Wch U16 | 2015 | 11 | 6.5 | 2,347 |
| chT-BEL 1516 | 2016 | 11 | 4.5 | 2,376 |
| Wch U10 | 2009 | 10 | 7 | 1,845 |
| 1st FIDE World Uni Blitz-A | 2021 | 10 | 6 | 1,871 |
| Wachtebeke | 2016 | 9 | 5.5 | 2,409 |
Interactive opening tree from all 332 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Nicola Capone's chess games?
332 games by Nicola Capone, from Oct 2008 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 Nicola Capone has played.
What does Nicola Capone play on the first move as White?
Across 164 games with White in our database, Nicola Capone opens with 1.e4 (80% of games), 1.d4 (18% of games), 1.Nf3 (1% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Nicola Capone answers 1...c5 (84% of games), 1...e6 (14% of games), 1...c6 (2% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (87% of games), 1...e6 (11% of games), 1...d5 (2% of games).
What openings does Nicola Capone play as White?
As White, Nicola Capone's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (20 games, 40.0% win rate); French: Classical Variation (10 games, 50.0% win rate); Sicilian: Najdorf (9 games, 11.1% win rate). The full breakdown of 164 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Nicola Capone play as Black?
As Black, Nicola Capone most often plays: Sicilian (43 games, 44.2% win rate); Indian Defense (14 games, 35.7% win rate); English Opening (12 games, 16.7% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 168 games.
What is Nicola Capone's FIDE rating?
Nicola Capone is currently rated 2,295 in classical chess, 2,324 in rapid and 2,263 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,426 (Feb 2016).
How many games has Nicola Capone played?
Our database contains 332 games by Nicola Capone, covering Oct 2008 to Sep 2026. Overall record: 128 wins, 108 draws, 96 losses (38.6% win rate).
How do I prepare against Nicola Capone?
332 games by Nicola Capone 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.