Prepare against Ruediger Merz
DEU · World #45,312 classical · FIDE ID 4695640
When preparing against Ruediger Merz, expect 1.e4 in 81% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (85% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (91%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Sicilian as White, 29.4% over 17 games.
Our database contains 122 games by Ruediger Merz, covering Oct 2003 to Aug 2026. Below you'll find Ruediger Merz's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Ruediger Merz 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 | 1,912 | 1,927 | Jul 2015 |
| Rapid | 1,902 | 1,925 | Apr 2025 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 122 | 51 | 13 | 58 | 41.8% |
| As White | 58 | 24 | 5 | 29 | 41.4% |
| As Black | 64 | 27 | 8 | 29 | 42.2% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Ruediger Merz's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Ruediger Merz's side.
First moves as White (58 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 47 | 81.0% | 40.4% |
| d4 | 11 | 19.0% | 68.2% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 81% of White games, 40.4% score
- …c5 (53% of these games) — Merz usually continues Nf3 (34.0% score)
- …e5 (17% of these games) — Merz usually continues Nf3 (50.0% score)
- …c6 (13% of these games) — Merz usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
- 1.d4 — 19% of White games, 68.2% score
- …Nf6 (45% of these games) — Merz usually continues c4 (40.0% score)
- …d5 (36% of these games) — Merz usually continues c4 (87.5% score)
- …e6 (18% of these games) — Merz usually continues c4 (100.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (27 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 23 | 85.2% | 52.2% |
| e5 | 2 | 7.4% | 100.0% |
| d5 | 2 | 7.4% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (22 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 20 | 90.9% | 22.5% |
| d5 | 2 | 9.1% | 75.0% |
Ruediger Merz's chess games
All 122 games by Ruediger Merz in the Chess.ceo database (Oct 2003 - Aug 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: 51 wins, 13 draws, 58 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B55 | Sicilian | 17 | 5/2/10 | 29.4% |
| B17 | Caro-Kann: Karpov Variation | 4 | 2/0/2 | 50.0% |
| A35 | Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 4 | 3/0/1 | 75.0% |
| D17 | Slav Defense | 4 | 3/1/0 | 75.0% |
| C15 | French: Winawer Variation | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| E16 | Queen's Indian Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| C05 | French: Classical Variation | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| D37 | Indian Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E14 | Queen's Indian Defense | 9 | 2/1/6 | 22.2% |
| B50 | Sicilian | 8 | 5/0/3 | 62.5% |
| B97 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 8 | 3/2/3 | 37.5% |
| D10 | Slav Defense | 5 | 1/3/1 | 20.0% |
| A16 | English Opening | 4 | 3/0/1 | 75.0% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| A34 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| A22 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| E42 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2015 | Julian Kramer | 2,234 | BL2-Nord 1415 | B90 |
| Jul 2002 | Bernd Kievelitz | 2,131 | 3rd Berlin Kreuzberg Open | B41 |
| Oct 2006 | Ronald Witte | 2,122 | Berlin Open 09 | B97 |
| Aug 2026 | Philip Zeitz | 2,113 | Werner-Ott-Open 2026 | A34 |
| Jul 2000 | Julia Belostozkaja | 2,108 | Kreuzberg | B53 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2013 | 9 | 5 | 1,956 |
| 7th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2008 | 9 | 5 | 1,970 |
| 9th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2010 | 9 | 5 | 1,909 |
| Kreuzberg | 2000 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,064 |
| 6th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2007 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,037 |
| 15th Berlin Lichtenberger Open | 2016 | 9 | 4.5 | 1,811 |
| 3rd Berlin Kreuzberg Open | 2002 | 9 | 4 | 1,999 |
| 2nd Berlin Lieb Memorial | 2016 | 7 | 4 | 1,958 |
Interactive opening tree from all 122 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Ruediger Merz's chess games?
122 games by Ruediger Merz, from Oct 2003 to Aug 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 Ruediger Merz has played.
What does Ruediger Merz play on the first move as White?
Across 58 games with White in our database, Ruediger Merz opens with 1.e4 (81% of games), 1.d4 (19% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Ruediger Merz answers 1...c5 (85% of games), 1...e5 (7% of games), 1...d5 (7% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (91% of games), 1...d5 (9% of games).
What openings does Ruediger Merz play as White?
As White, Ruediger Merz's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian (17 games, 29.4% win rate); Caro-Kann: Karpov Variation (4 games, 50.0% win rate); Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon (4 games, 25.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 58 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Ruediger Merz play as Black?
As Black, Ruediger Merz most often plays: Queen's Indian Defense (9 games, 22.2% win rate); Sicilian (8 games, 62.5% win rate); Sicilian: Najdorf (8 games, 37.5% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 64 games.
What is Ruediger Merz's FIDE rating?
Ruediger Merz is currently rated 1,912 in classical chess, 1,902 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 1,927 (Jul 2015).
How many games has Ruediger Merz played?
Our database contains 122 games by Ruediger Merz, covering Oct 2003 to Aug 2026. Overall record: 51 wins, 13 draws, 58 losses (41.8% win rate).
How do I prepare against Ruediger Merz?
122 games by Ruediger Merz 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.