Prepare against Nikolai Cusnariov
Moldova · World #18,026 classical · FIDE ID 13901613
When preparing against Nikolai Cusnariov, expect 1.e4 in 51% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (56% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (58%).
Our database contains 151 games by Nikolai Cusnariov, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Nikolai Cusnariov's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Nikolai Cusnariov 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 | 2,075 | 2,186 | Mar 2010 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 151 | 61 | 43 | 47 | 40.4% |
| As White | 72 | 29 | 20 | 23 | 40.3% |
| As Black | 79 | 32 | 23 | 24 | 40.5% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Nikolai Cusnariov's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Nikolai Cusnariov's side.
First moves as White (72 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 37 | 51.4% | 62.2% |
| d4 | 15 | 20.8% | 33.3% |
| Nf3 | 8 | 11.1% | 43.8% |
| c4 | 7 | 9.7% | 64.3% |
| b3 | 3 | 4.2% | 33.3% |
| f4 | 2 | 2.8% | 100.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 51% of White games, 62.2% score
- …c5 (51% of these games) — Cusnariov usually continues Nc3 (66.7% score)
- …e6 (22% of these games) — Cusnariov usually continues d4 (87.5% score)
- …e5 (5% of these games) — Cusnariov usually continues Nc3 (100.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 21% of White games, 33.3% score
- …d5 (47% of these games) — Cusnariov usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
- …Nf6 (40% of these games) — Cusnariov usually continues Nf3 (0.0% score)
- …f5 (7% of these games) — Cusnariov usually continues Nf3 (0.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (36 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 20 | 55.6% | 52.5% |
| c6 | 8 | 22.2% | 62.5% |
| e6 | 3 | 8.3% | 33.3% |
| d6 | 3 | 8.3% | 50.0% |
| e5 | 2 | 5.6% | 25.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (19 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 11 | 57.9% | 63.6% |
| d5 | 5 | 26.3% | 40.0% |
| c5 | 2 | 10.5% | 75.0% |
| f5 | 1 | 5.3% | 50.0% |
Nikolai Cusnariov's chess games
All 151 games by Nikolai Cusnariov in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2003 - 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: 61 wins, 43 draws, 47 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B26 | Sicilian: Closed | 12 | 8/0/4 | 66.7% |
| C06 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 8 | 7/0/1 | 87.5% |
| B50 | Sicilian | 6 | 1/4/1 | 16.7% |
| A15 | English Opening | 6 | 2/4/0 | 33.3% |
| D02 | Queen's Pawn Game | 5 | 2/0/3 | 40.0% |
| A01 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | 3 | 0/2/1 | 0.0% |
| E17 | Queen's Indian Defense | 3 | 0/2/1 | 0.0% |
| A04 | Dutch Defense | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| B03 | Alekhine Defense | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| D75 | Grünfeld Defense | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B87 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 8 | 3/1/4 | 37.5% |
| A31 | English Opening | 7 | 3/3/1 | 42.9% |
| A14 | English Opening: Neo-Catalan | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
| A43 | Benoni Defense | 5 | 4/1/0 | 80.0% |
| A03 | Bird's opening | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| D37 | Indian Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| B50 | Sicilian | 3 | 2/1/0 | 66.7% |
| B17 | Caro-Kann: Karpov Variation | 2 | 0/1/1 | 0.0% |
| C10 | French Defense | 2 | 0/2/0 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2011 | Werner Reichenbach | 2,313 | 10th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | B50 |
| Nov 2017 | Wolfram Heinig | 2,311 | 13th Berlin Lichtenrade Open | E68 |
| Nov 2017 | Hendrik Moeller | 2,279 | 13th Berlin Lichtenrade Open | A14 |
| Dec 2013 | Michael Mueller | 2,263 | Oberliga Nord O 1314 | C10 |
| Jul 2007 | Gerhard Lueders | 2,259 | Berlin Kreuzberg Open | B26 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin Kreuzberg Open | 2015 | 15 | 9.5 | 2,161 |
| Berlin Open 07 | 2009 | 10 | 5 | 2,070 |
| Oberliga Nord O 1314 | 2014 | 9 | 5.5 | 2,287 |
| 3rd Berlin Lichtenberger Sommer | 2004 | 9 | 6 | 1,967 |
| Oberliga Nord O 1415 | 2015 | 9 | 2 | 1,986 |
| 12th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2013 | 9 | 5 | 2,110 |
| 6th Berlin Lichtenrade Open | 2010 | 9 | 5.5 | 2,156 |
| 10th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2011 | 9 | 6 | 2,284 |
Interactive opening tree from all 151 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Nikolai Cusnariov's chess games?
151 games by Nikolai Cusnariov, from Apr 2003 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 Nikolai Cusnariov has played.
What does Nikolai Cusnariov play on the first move as White?
Across 72 games with White in our database, Nikolai Cusnariov opens with 1.e4 (51% of games), 1.d4 (21% of games), 1.Nf3 (11% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Nikolai Cusnariov answers 1...c5 (56% of games), 1...c6 (22% of games), 1...e6 (8% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (58% of games), 1...d5 (26% of games), 1...c5 (11% of games).
What openings does Nikolai Cusnariov play as White?
As White, Nikolai Cusnariov's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Closed (12 games, 66.7% win rate); French: Tarrasch Variation (8 games, 87.5% win rate); Sicilian (6 games, 16.7% win rate). The full breakdown of 72 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Nikolai Cusnariov play as Black?
As Black, Nikolai Cusnariov most often plays: Sicilian: Najdorf (8 games, 37.5% win rate); English Opening (7 games, 42.9% win rate); English Opening: Neo-Catalan (5 games, 60.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 79 games.
What is Nikolai Cusnariov's FIDE rating?
Nikolai Cusnariov is currently rated 2,075 in classical chess. Peak classical rating: 2,186 (Mar 2010).
How many games has Nikolai Cusnariov played?
Our database contains 151 games by Nikolai Cusnariov, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 61 wins, 43 draws, 47 losses (40.4% win rate).
How do I prepare against Nikolai Cusnariov?
151 games by Nikolai Cusnariov 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.