Prepare against Nikola Kanov
IM · BGR · World #1,053 classical · FIDE ID 2928531
When preparing against Nikola Kanov, expect 1.e4 in 91% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (41% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (76%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense as Black, 11.1% over 18 games.
Our database contains 571 games by Nikola Kanov, covering Dec 2015 to Sep 2026. Below you'll find Nikola Kanov's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Nikola Kanov 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 | 2,447 | 2,447 | Sep 2026 |
| Rapid | 2,324 | 2,333 | Jun 2023 |
| Blitz | 2,259 | 2,259 | Sep 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 571 | 250 | 144 | 177 | 43.8% |
| As White | 290 | 145 | 70 | 75 | 50.0% |
| As Black | 281 | 105 | 74 | 102 | 37.4% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Nikola Kanov's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Nikola Kanov's side.
First moves as White (290 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 265 | 91.4% | 62.3% |
| c4 | 20 | 6.9% | 57.5% |
| Nf3 | 4 | 1.4% | 75.0% |
| d4 | 1 | 0.3% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 91% of White games, 62.3% score
- …c5 (44% of these games) — Kanov usually continues Nf3 (65.1% score)
- …e5 (23% of these games) — Kanov usually continues Nf3 (63.3% score)
- …e6 (12% of these games) — Kanov usually continues d4 (55.0% score)
- 1.c4 — 7% of White games, 57.5% score
- …e5 (35% of these games) — Kanov usually continues g3 (40.0% score)
- …c5 (25% of these games) — Kanov usually continues Nc3 (100.0% score)
- …e6 (25% of these games) — Kanov usually continues g3 (60.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (139 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 57 | 41.0% | 41.2% |
| c5 | 48 | 34.5% | 58.3% |
| e6 | 23 | 16.5% | 56.5% |
| d5 | 8 | 5.8% | 68.8% |
| g6 | 2 | 1.4% | 0.0% |
| c6 | 1 | 0.7% | 0.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (87 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 66 | 75.9% | 59.1% |
| d5 | 20 | 23.0% | 32.5% |
| e6 | 1 | 1.1% | 100.0% |
Nikola Kanov's chess games
All 571 games by Nikola Kanov in the Chess.ceo database (Dec 2015 - 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: 250 wins, 144 draws, 177 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 50 | 27/9/14 | 54.0% |
| C54 | Italian Game | 30 | 11/11/8 | 36.7% |
| B69 | Sicilian | 28 | 17/4/7 | 60.7% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 20 | 5/6/9 | 25.0% |
| B15 | Caro-Kann: Main Line | 17 | 8/3/6 | 47.1% |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 11 | 8/3/0 | 72.7% |
| C07 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 9 | 7/1/1 | 77.8% |
| C50 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 9 | 4/3/2 | 44.4% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 8 | 5/1/2 | 62.5% |
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 7 | 4/3/0 | 57.1% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B48 | Sicilian: Taimanov | 27 | 9/11/7 | 33.3% |
| A70 | Benoni Defense | 20 | 10/3/7 | 50.0% |
| C78 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 18 | 2/7/9 | 11.1% |
| B40 | Sicilian | 18 | 9/3/6 | 50.0% |
| A35 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 18 | 8/2/8 | 44.4% |
| D27 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | 16 | 2/5/9 | 12.5% |
| A33 | English Opening | 13 | 2/9/2 | 15.4% |
| A48 | Indian Defense | 12 | 5/3/4 | 41.7% |
| C54 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 12 | 6/1/5 | 50.0% |
| C60 | Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto | 9 | 3/3/3 | 33.3% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2023 | Valery Kazakouski | 2,586 | 59th Groningen Open | A35 |
| Mar 2025 | Mads Andersen | 2,585 | 62nd TCh-DEN Ex 2024-25 | C15 |
| Mar 2024 | Emre Can | 2,551 | 40th Cappelle Open | B90 |
| Dec 2023 | Titas Stremavicius | 2,550 | 59th Groningen Open | B61 |
| Jun 2026 | Boris Chatalbashev | 2,520 | Round Robin GM Norm Tournament | C41 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wch U16 | 2023 | 21 | 13 | 2,388 |
| ch-BUL | 2024 | 16 | 9.5 | 2,386 |
| 23rd ch-EU | 2023 | 11 | 5.5 | 2,202 |
| 22nd ch-EU | 2022 | 11 | 5 | 2,292 |
| 26th ch-EUR Indiv 2026 | 2026 | 11 | 6 | 2,371 |
| Wch U16 rapid | 2023 | 10 | 7 | 2,026 |
| Wch U16 blitz | 2023 | 10 | 6.5 | 2,030 |
| World Youth Open U18 2025 | 2025 | 10 | 5 | 2,397 |
Interactive opening tree from all 571 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Nikola Kanov's chess games?
571 games by Nikola Kanov, from Dec 2015 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 Nikola Kanov has played.
What does Nikola Kanov play on the first move as White?
Across 290 games with White in our database, Nikola Kanov opens with 1.e4 (91% of games), 1.c4 (7% of games), 1.Nf3 (1% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Nikola Kanov answers 1...e5 (41% of games), 1...c5 (35% of games), 1...e6 (17% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (76% of games), 1...d5 (23% of games), 1...e6 (1% of games).
What openings does Nikola Kanov play as White?
As White, Nikola Kanov's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Najdorf (50 games, 54.0% win rate); Italian Game (30 games, 36.7% win rate); Sicilian (28 games, 60.7% win rate). The full breakdown of 290 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Nikola Kanov play as Black?
As Black, Nikola Kanov most often plays: Sicilian: Taimanov (27 games, 33.3% win rate); Benoni Defense (20 games, 50.0% win rate); Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense (18 games, 11.1% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 281 games.
What is Nikola Kanov's FIDE rating?
Nikola Kanov is currently rated 2,447 in classical chess, 2,324 in rapid and 2,259 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,447 (Sep 2026).
How many games has Nikola Kanov played?
Our database contains 571 games by Nikola Kanov, covering Dec 2015 to Sep 2026. Overall record: 250 wins, 144 draws, 177 losses (43.8% win rate).
How do I prepare against Nikola Kanov?
571 games by Nikola Kanov 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.