Prepare against Nikolaj Sotirov
BGR · World #17,787 classical · FIDE ID 2904454
When preparing against Nikolaj Sotirov, expect 1.e4 in 100% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (100% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (91%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian: Alapin as White, 44.0% over 25 games.
Our database contains 97 games by Nikolaj Sotirov, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Nikolaj Sotirov's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Nikolaj Sotirov 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 | 2,077 | 2,140 | Oct 2005 |
| Rapid | 2,041 | 2,092 | Oct 2020 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 97 | 39 | 15 | 43 | 40.2% |
| As White | 49 | 20 | 7 | 22 | 40.8% |
| As Black | 48 | 19 | 8 | 21 | 39.6% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Nikolaj Sotirov's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Nikolaj Sotirov's side.
First moves as White (49 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 49 | 100.0% | 48.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 100% of White games, 48.0% score
- …c5 (53% of these games) — Sotirov usually continues c3 (52.0% score)
- …c6 (16% of these games) — Sotirov usually continues d4 (68.8% score)
- …e5 (10% of these games) — Sotirov usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (21 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 21 | 100.0% | 45.2% |
As Black against 1.d4 (11 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 10 | 90.9% | 35.0% |
| f5 | 1 | 9.1% | 50.0% |
Nikolaj Sotirov's chess games
All 97 games by Nikolaj Sotirov 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: 39 wins, 15 draws, 43 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 25 | 11/4/10 | 44.0% |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Fantasy Variation | 8 | 5/1/2 | 62.5% |
| B02 | Alekhine Defense | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| B06 | Pirc Defense | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| C44 | Scotch Game | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| C41 | Center Game | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| C41 | Philidor | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| B53 | Sicilian | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C01 | French: Exchange Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A34 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 6 | 3/2/1 | 50.0% |
| B01 | Sicilian | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| D94 | Grünfeld Defense | 6 | 2/0/4 | 33.3% |
| B31 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B34 | Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B25 | Sicilian: Closed | 4 | 2/0/2 | 50.0% |
| D74 | Indian Defense | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| A22 | English Opening | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| A08 | Réti Opening | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| D00 | Anderssen's opening | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2010 | Sofio Gvetadze | 2,350 | Bansko Open | B24 |
| Jan 2019 | Dejan Omorjan | 2,284 | 5th Belgrade ChessAmateur Open | B22 |
| Dec 2010 | Iva Videnova-Kuljasevic | 2,269 | Bansko Open | B22 |
| Jan 1997 | Kristian Djakov | 2,265 | ch-BUL | B15 |
| Jan 2019 | Srdjan Cvetkovic | 2,259 | 5th Belgrade ChessAmateur Open | B22 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Belgrade ChessAmateur Open | 2019 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,241 |
| ch-BUL | 1997 | 8 | 2.5 | 2,144 |
| 75th ch-BUL sf | 2011 | 8 | 1.5 | 1,747 |
| Baharov Memorial Open | 1995 | 7 | 4 | 2,310 |
| Sunny Beach Open | 2008 | 7 | 4 | 2,074 |
| 4th Kesarovski Georgiev Mem | 2005 | 7 | 2.5 | 2,049 |
| Primorsko Dyuni Open 1st | 2016 | 7 | 5 | 1,961 |
| ch-BUL sf | 1995 | 7 | 3.5 | 2,266 |
Interactive opening tree from all 97 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Nikolaj Sotirov's chess games?
97 games by Nikolaj Sotirov, 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 Nikolaj Sotirov has played.
What does Nikolaj Sotirov play on the first move as White?
Across 49 games with White in our database, Nikolaj Sotirov opens with 1.e4 (100% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Nikolaj Sotirov answers 1...c5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (91% of games), 1...f5 (9% of games).
What openings does Nikolaj Sotirov play as White?
As White, Nikolaj Sotirov's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Alapin (25 games, 44.0% win rate); Caro-Kann: Fantasy Variation (8 games, 62.5% win rate); Alekhine Defense (3 games, 33.3% win rate). The full breakdown of 49 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Nikolaj Sotirov play as Black?
As Black, Nikolaj Sotirov most often plays: English Opening: Symmetrical (6 games, 50.0% win rate); Sicilian (6 games, 50.0% win rate); Grünfeld Defense (6 games, 33.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 48 games.
What is Nikolaj Sotirov's FIDE rating?
Nikolaj Sotirov is currently rated 2,077 in classical chess, 2,041 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 2,140 (Oct 2005).
How many games has Nikolaj Sotirov played?
Our database contains 97 games by Nikolaj Sotirov, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 39 wins, 15 draws, 43 losses (40.2% win rate).
How do I prepare against Nikolaj Sotirov?
97 games by Nikolaj Sotirov 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.