Prepare against Niki Paajala
Finland · World #23,447 classical · FIDE ID 505285
When preparing against Niki Paajala, expect 1.e4 in 64% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (61% of games); against 1.d4, 1...f5 (78%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Dutch Defense as Black, 10.7% over 28 games.
Our database contains 180 games by Niki Paajala, covering May 2010 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Niki Paajala's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Niki Paajala 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 | 2,029 | 2,036 | Feb 2026 |
| Rapid | 1,970 | 1,987 | Aug 2024 |
| Blitz | 1,955 | 1,955 | Jul 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 180 | 46 | 57 | 77 | 25.6% |
| As White | 89 | 25 | 28 | 36 | 28.1% |
| As Black | 91 | 21 | 29 | 41 | 23.1% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Niki Paajala's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Niki Paajala's side.
First moves as White (89 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 57 | 64.0% | 42.1% |
| d4 | 21 | 23.6% | 50.0% |
| Nc3 | 7 | 7.9% | 35.7% |
| Nf3 | 2 | 2.2% | 50.0% |
| c4 | 1 | 1.1% | 0.0% |
| g3 | 1 | 1.1% | 100.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 64% of White games, 42.1% score
- …c5 (47% of these games) — Paajala usually continues Nc3 (50.0% score)
- …e6 (18% of these games) — Paajala usually continues d3 (57.1% score)
- …c6 (11% of these games) — Paajala usually continues Nf3 (37.5% score)
- 1.d4 — 24% of White games, 50.0% score
- …Nf6 (48% of these games) — Paajala usually continues Bg5 (55.6% score)
- …d5 (29% of these games) — Paajala usually continues c4 (50.0% score)
- …e6 (10% of these games) — Paajala usually continues c4 (25.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (41 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 25 | 61.0% | 48.0% |
| d5 | 15 | 36.6% | 36.7% |
| c5 | 1 | 2.4% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (36 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| f5 | 28 | 77.8% | 32.1% |
| d5 | 6 | 16.7% | 58.3% |
| d6 | 1 | 2.8% | 0.0% |
| Nf6 | 1 | 2.8% | 0.0% |
Niki Paajala's chess games
All 180 games by Niki Paajala in the Chess.ceo database (May 2010 - 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: 46 wins, 57 draws, 77 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B26 | Sicilian: Closed | 24 | 9/6/9 | 37.5% |
| C00 | King's Indian Attack | 7 | 3/2/2 | 42.9% |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 6 | 4/1/1 | 66.7% |
| B10 | Caro-Kann | 6 | 1/1/4 | 16.7% |
| B30 | Sicilian | 5 | 1/0/4 | 20.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| D00 | Queen's Pawn Game | 3 | 2/1/0 | 66.7% |
| B07 | Philidor | 3 | 0/2/1 | 0.0% |
| C48 | Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| D20 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A87 | Dutch Defense | 28 | 3/12/13 | 10.7% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 13 | 3/3/7 | 23.1% |
| C89 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 5 | 4/0/1 | 80.0% |
| C78 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
| D06 | Slav Defense | 3 | 1/2/0 | 33.3% |
| A87 | English Opening: Dutch Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| A03 | Bird's opening | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| A80 | Réti Opening | 2 | 0/2/0 | 0.0% |
| A22 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| C60 | Ruy Lopez | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2011 | Kari Rauramaa | 2,217 | Turku We TSY Open | B26 |
| May 2019 | Teemu Vihinen | 2,151 | Helsinki EtVaS Open | A08 |
| Feb 2015 | Pekka Kauppala | 2,119 | Espoo MatSK Weekend A | B23 |
| Apr 2023 | Samu Montonen | 2,054 | chT1-FIN Gp2 | B01 |
| Jan 2012 | Juho Pelto | 2,036 | Turku We TSY Open | B01 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espoo We MatSK | 2014 | 10 | 3 | 1,867 |
| Espoo MatSK Weekend A | 2015 | 10 | 3 | 1,908 |
| Turku We TSY Open | 2012 | 9 | 5 | 2,081 |
| ch-FIN U18 | 1998 | 7 | 2 | – |
| chT1A-FIN 1819 | 2019 | 7 | 2.5 | 1,970 |
| chT1C-FIN 0910 | 2010 | 7 | 3.5 | 2,082 |
| 16th Rhein Main Open A | 2013 | 7 | 3.5 | 2,005 |
| Regensburg Donau Cup | 2017 | 7 | 4 | 1,798 |
Interactive opening tree from all 180 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Niki Paajala's chess games?
180 games by Niki Paajala, from May 2010 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 Niki Paajala has played.
What does Niki Paajala play on the first move as White?
Across 89 games with White in our database, Niki Paajala opens with 1.e4 (64% of games), 1.d4 (24% of games), 1.Nc3 (8% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Niki Paajala answers 1...e5 (61% of games), 1...d5 (37% of games), 1...c5 (2% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...f5 (78% of games), 1...d5 (17% of games), 1...d6 (3% of games).
What openings does Niki Paajala play as White?
As White, Niki Paajala's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Closed (24 games, 37.5% win rate); King's Indian Attack (7 games, 42.9% win rate); Trompowsky Attack (6 games, 66.7% win rate). The full breakdown of 89 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Niki Paajala play as Black?
As Black, Niki Paajala most often plays: Dutch Defense (28 games, 10.7% win rate); Scandinavian Defense: Main Line (13 games, 23.1% win rate); Ruy Lopez: Closed (5 games, 80.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 91 games.
What is Niki Paajala's FIDE rating?
Niki Paajala is currently rated 2,029 in classical chess, 1,970 in rapid and 1,955 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,036 (Feb 2026).
How many games has Niki Paajala played?
Our database contains 180 games by Niki Paajala, covering May 2010 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 46 wins, 57 draws, 77 losses (25.6% win rate).
How do I prepare against Niki Paajala?
180 games by Niki Paajala 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.