Prepare against Nicolai Barbu
FM · Romania · World #29,580 classical · FIDE ID 1202464
When preparing against Nicolai Barbu, expect 1.e4 in 84% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (100% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (100%).
Our database contains 60 games by Nicolai Barbu, covering Apr 2003 to Aug 2026. Below you'll find Nicolai Barbu's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Nicolai Barbu 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 | 1,988 | 2,234 | Oct 2003 |
| Rapid | 2,029 | 2,121 | May 2014 |
| Blitz | 2,041 | 2,062 | Dec 2023 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 60 | 25 | 11 | 24 | 41.7% |
| As White | 31 | 10 | 6 | 15 | 32.3% |
| As Black | 29 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 51.7% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Nicolai Barbu's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Nicolai Barbu's side.
First moves as White (31 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 26 | 83.9% | 38.5% |
| d4 | 3 | 9.7% | 50.0% |
| Nf3 | 1 | 3.2% | 100.0% |
| f4 | 1 | 3.2% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 84% of White games, 38.5% score
- …c5 (54% of these games) — Barbu usually continues Nf3 (42.9% score)
- …d5 (12% of these games) — Barbu usually continues exd5 (50.0% score)
- …d6 (12% of these games) — Barbu usually continues d4 (25.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 10% of White games, 50.0% score
- …d5 (67% of these games) — Barbu usually continues Bg5 (25.0% score)
- …Nf6 (33% of these games) — Barbu usually continues Bg5 (100.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (12 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 12 | 100.0% | 62.5% |
As Black against 1.d4 (11 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 11 | 100.0% | 77.3% |
Nicolai Barbu's chess games
All 60 games by Nicolai Barbu in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2003 - Aug 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: 25 wins, 11 draws, 24 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A04 | Sicilian | 8 | 4/0/4 | 50.0% |
| B08 | Pirc Defense | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| B92 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| D00 | Queen's Pawn Game | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| C44 | Ponziani Opening | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| A07 | Réti Opening | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C69 | Ruy Lopez: Exchange | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B52 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B84 | Sicilian: Scheveningen | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D85 | Grünfeld Defense | 6 | 4/1/1 | 66.7% |
| A16 | English Opening | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| A48 | King's Indian Defense | 3 | 1/2/0 | 33.3% |
| B21 | Sicilian | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| B51 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| B83 | Sicilian: Scheveningen | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| D03 | Torre Attack | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| A07 | Hungarian Opening | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| A48 | London System | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1994 | Gabriel Georgescu | 2,420 | chT-ROM | B53 |
| Jan 1993 | Ioan Biriescu | 2,340 | chT-ROM | A45 |
| Jan 1994 | Dan Vasiesiu | 2,340 | chT-ROM | A05 |
| Dec 2008 | Mariano Varga | 2,276 | 7th Benidorm Open U2300 | B21 |
| Jan 1997 | Radu Ignatescu | 2,260 | chT2-ROM | D03 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| chT-ROM | 1994 | 16 | 5 | 2,213 |
| Ploiesti TC IND Cup Open | 2002 | 11 | 8 | 2,283 |
| Ploiesti Master Open | 2003 | 9 | 5.5 | 2,265 |
| chT2-ROM | 1997 | 8 | 3.5 | 2,154 |
| Ploiesti Conpet Open | 2007 | 8 | 5 | 2,181 |
| 7th Benidorm Open U2300 | 2008 | 3 | 1 | 2,111 |
| Brasov Grand Prix Classic 2026 | Group B | 2026 | 3 | 2.5 | 2,018 |
| Sinaia | 1976 | 1 | 0 | 1,990 |
Interactive opening tree from all 60 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Nicolai Barbu's chess games?
60 games by Nicolai Barbu, from Apr 2003 to Aug 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 Nicolai Barbu has played.
What does Nicolai Barbu play on the first move as White?
Across 31 games with White in our database, Nicolai Barbu opens with 1.e4 (84% of games), 1.d4 (10% of games), 1.Nf3 (3% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Nicolai Barbu answers 1...c5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (100% of games).
What openings does Nicolai Barbu play as White?
As White, Nicolai Barbu's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (8 games, 50.0% win rate); Pirc Defense (3 games, 0.0% win rate); Sicilian: Najdorf (3 games, 66.7% win rate). The full breakdown of 31 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Nicolai Barbu play as Black?
As Black, Nicolai Barbu most often plays: Grünfeld Defense (6 games, 66.7% win rate); English Opening (4 games, 25.0% win rate); King's Indian Defense (3 games, 33.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 29 games.
What is Nicolai Barbu's FIDE rating?
Nicolai Barbu is currently rated 1,988 in classical chess, 2,029 in rapid and 2,041 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,234 (Oct 2003).
How many games has Nicolai Barbu played?
Our database contains 60 games by Nicolai Barbu, covering Apr 2003 to Aug 2026. Overall record: 25 wins, 11 draws, 24 losses (41.7% win rate).
How do I prepare against Nicolai Barbu?
60 games by Nicolai Barbu 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.