Prepare against Niels Skou
DNK · World #20,972 classical · FIDE ID 1413155
When preparing against Niels Skou, expect 1.d4 in 71% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (62% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (68%).
Our database contains 157 games by Niels Skou, covering Jul 2006 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Niels Skou's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Niels Skou 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 | 2,049 | 2,157 | Mar 2012 |
| Rapid | 2,124 | 2,147 | Mar 2014 |
| Blitz | 2,008 | 2,011 | Aug 2016 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 157 | 52 | 29 | 76 | 33.1% |
| As White | 78 | 25 | 17 | 36 | 32.1% |
| As Black | 79 | 27 | 12 | 40 | 34.2% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Niels Skou's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Niels Skou's side.
First moves as White (78 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d4 | 55 | 70.5% | 39.1% |
| c4 | 9 | 11.5% | 61.1% |
| Nf3 | 9 | 11.5% | 55.6% |
| e4 | 5 | 6.4% | 30.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.d4 — 71% of White games, 39.1% score
- …Nf6 (53% of these games) — Skou usually continues c4 (32.1% score)
- …d5 (29% of these games) — Skou usually continues c4 (50.0% score)
- …f5 (5% of these games) — Skou usually continues Bf4 (50.0% score)
- 1.c4 — 12% of White games, 61.1% score
- …Nf6 (33% of these games) — Skou usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
- …e5 (22% of these games) — Skou usually continues Nc3 (100.0% score)
- …e6 (11% of these games) — Skou usually continues d4 (0.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (37 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 23 | 62.2% | 39.1% |
| c5 | 7 | 18.9% | 50.0% |
| d5 | 4 | 10.8% | 25.0% |
| c6 | 2 | 5.4% | 50.0% |
| d6 | 1 | 2.7% | 0.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (25 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 17 | 68.0% | 61.8% |
| d5 | 8 | 32.0% | 18.8% |
Niels Skou's chess games
All 157 games by Niels Skou in the Chess.ceo database (Jul 2006 - 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: 52 wins, 29 draws, 76 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D11 | Slav Defense | 9 | 2/1/6 | 22.2% |
| A58 | Benoni Defense | 8 | 3/1/4 | 37.5% |
| A31 | English Opening | 6 | 3/2/1 | 50.0% |
| D31 | Queen's Gambit Declined | 5 | 1/2/2 | 20.0% |
| E51 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 5 | 2/2/1 | 40.0% |
| D36 | Indian Defense | 4 | 3/0/1 | 75.0% |
| E91 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 4 | 0/1/3 | 0.0% |
| A41 | Modern Defense | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
| E32 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| A80 | Dutch Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D36 | Indian Defense | 7 | 2/0/5 | 28.6% |
| A16 | English Opening | 5 | 1/1/3 | 20.0% |
| C54 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 5 | 1/2/2 | 20.0% |
| A29 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 5 | 2/0/3 | 40.0% |
| C71 | Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense Deferred | 4 | 0/1/3 | 0.0% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
| A05 | Réti Opening | 3 | 0/0/3 | 0.0% |
| D35 | Queen's Gambit Declined | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| C54 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| C91 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | Axel Smith | 2,435 | chT-DEN 2122 59th | A80 |
| Aug 2011 | Christian Jepson | 2,405 | 33rd Politiken Cup | E60 |
| Jul 2011 | Jonathan Carlstedt | 2,336 | 33rd Politiken Cup | A16 |
| Sep 2019 | Thomas Ernst | 2,328 | Gothenburg Kvibergspelen 09 | D93 |
| May 2023 | Carsten Hoi | 2,323 | DEN-ch Rapid Open | D22 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33rd Politiken Cup | 2011 | 10 | 6 | 2,268 |
| 36th Politiken Cup | 2014 | 10 | 5 | 1,971 |
| 15th Gibraltar Masters | 2017 | 10 | 3.5 | 1,925 |
| 34th Politiken Cup | 2012 | 10 | 4.5 | 1,941 |
| Helsingor Xtracon Open | 2016 | 10 | 5.5 | 2,074 |
| 33rd World Senior 50+ | 2025 | 8 | 3.5 | 1,939 |
| 18th Gibraltar Masters | 2020 | 8 | 2.5 | 2,004 |
| 16th ch-EU Seniors 50 | 2016 | 8 | 2.5 | 2,051 |
Interactive opening tree from all 157 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Niels Skou's chess games?
157 games by Niels Skou, from Jul 2006 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 Niels Skou has played.
What does Niels Skou play on the first move as White?
Across 78 games with White in our database, Niels Skou opens with 1.d4 (71% of games), 1.c4 (12% of games), 1.Nf3 (12% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Niels Skou answers 1...e5 (62% of games), 1...c5 (19% of games), 1...d5 (11% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (68% of games), 1...d5 (32% of games).
What openings does Niels Skou play as White?
As White, Niels Skou's most-played openings in our database are: Slav Defense (9 games, 22.2% win rate); Benoni Defense (8 games, 37.5% win rate); English Opening (6 games, 50.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 78 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Niels Skou play as Black?
As Black, Niels Skou most often plays: Indian Defense (7 games, 28.6% win rate); English Opening (5 games, 20.0% win rate); Italian Game: Classical Variation (5 games, 20.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 79 games.
What is Niels Skou's FIDE rating?
Niels Skou is currently rated 2,049 in classical chess, 2,124 in rapid and 2,008 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,157 (Mar 2012).
How many games has Niels Skou played?
Our database contains 157 games by Niels Skou, covering Jul 2006 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 52 wins, 29 draws, 76 losses (33.1% win rate).
How do I prepare against Niels Skou?
157 games by Niels Skou 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.