Prepare against Paolo Niccoli
Italy · World #87,169 classical · FIDE ID 825875
When preparing against Paolo Niccoli, expect 1.e4 in 70% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (70% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (70%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Benoni Defense as Black, 21.1% over 19 games.
Our database contains 165 games by Paolo Niccoli, covering Jan 2006 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Paolo Niccoli's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Paolo Niccoli 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 | 1,767 | 1,997 | Apr 2006 |
| Rapid | 1,855 | 1,916 | Oct 2025 |
| Blitz | 1,877 | 1,877 | Jul 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 165 | 59 | 29 | 77 | 35.8% |
| As White | 84 | 42 | 9 | 33 | 50.0% |
| As Black | 81 | 17 | 20 | 44 | 21.0% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Paolo Niccoli's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Paolo Niccoli's side.
First moves as White (84 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 59 | 70.2% | 55.1% |
| c4 | 19 | 22.6% | 63.2% |
| g3 | 4 | 4.8% | 25.0% |
| Nf3 | 1 | 1.2% | 50.0% |
| d4 | 1 | 1.2% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 70% of White games, 55.1% score
- …c5 (37% of these games) — Niccoli usually continues Nf3 (62.5% score)
- …e5 (20% of these games) — Niccoli usually continues Nf3 (33.3% score)
- …d6 (14% of these games) — Niccoli usually continues d4 (64.3% score)
- 1.c4 — 23% of White games, 63.2% score
- …e5 (42% of these games) — Niccoli usually continues g3 (57.1% score)
- …Nf6 (26% of these games) — Niccoli usually continues g3 (50.0% score)
- …c6 (11% of these games) — Niccoli usually continues g3 (25.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (23 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 16 | 69.6% | 28.1% |
| e5 | 3 | 13.0% | 16.7% |
| g6 | 2 | 8.7% | 50.0% |
| e6 | 2 | 8.7% | 25.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (33 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 23 | 69.7% | 34.8% |
| g6 | 4 | 12.1% | 37.5% |
| c5 | 3 | 9.1% | 50.0% |
| d5 | 3 | 9.1% | 33.3% |
Paolo Niccoli's chess games
All 165 games by Paolo Niccoli in the Chess.ceo database (Jan 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: 59 wins, 29 draws, 77 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A25 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 9 | 6/0/3 | 66.7% |
| B26 | Sicilian: Closed | 8 | 4/1/3 | 50.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 6 | 3/1/2 | 50.0% |
| B32 | Sicilian | 5 | 3/0/2 | 60.0% |
| A36 | English Opening | 4 | 3/0/1 | 75.0% |
| A11 | English Opening: Slav Setup | 4 | 0/1/3 | 0.0% |
| C41 | Philidor | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| A07 | Hungarian Opening | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| C14 | French: Classical Variation | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A57 | Benoni Defense | 19 | 4/4/11 | 21.1% |
| A37 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 7 | 3/1/3 | 42.9% |
| A26 | English Opening | 5 | 0/1/4 | 0.0% |
| D11 | Slav Defense | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
| A36 | Sicilian | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| A04 | Hungarian Opening | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2015 | Michael Trauth | 2,166 | 37th Arco Open | A37 |
| Oct 2016 | Robert Behling | 2,117 | 38th Arco Open | B19 |
| Dec 2011 | Nicholas Paltrinieri | 2,109 | Arco Open | A03 |
| Oct 2011 | Emiliano Mastroddi | 2,097 | 33rd Arco Open | B79 |
| Oct 2009 | Fernando De Andres Gonalons | 2,088 | 31st Arco Open | C14 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29th Arco Open | 2007 | 9 | 5 | 2,096 |
| 33rd Arco Open | 2011 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,048 |
| 32nd Arco Open | 2010 | 9 | 5 | 1,988 |
| 30th Arco Open | 2008 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,058 |
| 39th Arco Open A | 2017 | 8 | 4.5 | 2,018 |
| 31st Arco Open | 2009 | 7 | 4 | 2,016 |
| 41st Arco Open | 2019 | 7 | 2.5 | 1,808 |
| 37th Arco Open | 2015 | 7 | 3.5 | 1,927 |
Interactive opening tree from all 165 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Paolo Niccoli's chess games?
165 games by Paolo Niccoli, from Jan 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 Paolo Niccoli has played.
What does Paolo Niccoli play on the first move as White?
Across 84 games with White in our database, Paolo Niccoli opens with 1.e4 (70% of games), 1.c4 (23% of games), 1.g3 (5% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Paolo Niccoli answers 1...c5 (70% of games), 1...e5 (13% of games), 1...g6 (9% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (70% of games), 1...g6 (12% of games), 1...c5 (9% of games).
What openings does Paolo Niccoli play as White?
As White, Paolo Niccoli's most-played openings in our database are: English Opening: Reverse Sicilian (9 games, 66.7% win rate); Sicilian: Closed (8 games, 50.0% win rate); Pirc Defense (6 games, 50.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 84 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Paolo Niccoli play as Black?
As Black, Paolo Niccoli most often plays: Benoni Defense (19 games, 21.1% win rate); English Opening: Symmetrical (7 games, 42.9% win rate); English Opening (5 games, 0.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 81 games.
What is Paolo Niccoli's FIDE rating?
Paolo Niccoli is currently rated 1,767 in classical chess, 1,855 in rapid and 1,877 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 1,997 (Apr 2006).
How many games has Paolo Niccoli played?
Our database contains 165 games by Paolo Niccoli, covering Jan 2006 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 59 wins, 29 draws, 77 losses (35.8% win rate).
How do I prepare against Paolo Niccoli?
165 games by Paolo Niccoli 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.