Prepare against Russell A James
United Kingdom · World #17,974 classical · FIDE ID 407070
Our database contains 320 games by Russell A James, covering Apr 2003 to Aug 2026. Below you'll find Russell A James's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Russell A James 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 | 2,245 | Jul 2006 |
| Rapid | 1,968 | 2,180 | Sep 2012 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 320 | 115 | 124 | 81 | 35.9% |
| As White | 161 | 66 | 58 | 37 | 41.0% |
| As Black | 159 | 49 | 66 | 44 | 30.8% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Russell A James's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Russell A James's side.
First moves as White (161 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 112 | 69.6% | 59.4% |
| d4 | 31 | 19.3% | 54.8% |
| Nf3 | 12 | 7.5% | 58.3% |
| b4 | 2 | 1.2% | 50.0% |
| b3 | 2 | 1.2% | 75.0% |
| e3 | 1 | 0.6% | 100.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 70% of White games, 59.4% score
- …c5 (38% of these games) — James usually continues c3 (54.2% score)
- …e6 (20% of these games) — James usually continues d4 (53.6% score)
- …e5 (14% of these games) — James usually continues Nf3 (56.7% score)
- 1.d4 — 19% of White games, 54.8% score
- …Nf6 (55% of these games) — James usually continues Bg5 (50.0% score)
- …d5 (19% of these games) — James usually continues Nf3 (75.0% score)
- …e6 (16% of these games) — James usually continues Nf3 (33.3% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (79 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 52 | 65.8% | 60.6% |
| c5 | 11 | 13.9% | 45.5% |
| d5 | 10 | 12.7% | 40.0% |
| d6 | 4 | 5.1% | 62.5% |
| c6 | 1 | 1.3% | 0.0% |
| e6 | 1 | 1.3% | 0.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (53 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 30 | 56.6% | 48.3% |
| d5 | 19 | 35.8% | 39.5% |
| d6 | 2 | 3.8% | 25.0% |
| f5 | 1 | 1.9% | 0.0% |
| e6 | 1 | 1.9% | 100.0% |
Russell A James's chess games
All 320 games by Russell A James in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 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: 115 wins, 124 draws, 81 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 24 | 9/8/7 | 37.5% |
| C00 | French Defense | 9 | 6/2/1 | 66.7% |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 9 | 3/3/3 | 33.3% |
| D42 | Indian Defense | 7 | 1/3/3 | 14.3% |
| C41 | Pirc Defense: Lion System | 6 | 2/2/2 | 33.3% |
| B28 | Sicilian | 6 | 1/4/1 | 16.7% |
| B06 | Pirc Defense | 5 | 2/2/1 | 40.0% |
| C02 | French: Advance Variation | 5 | 3/1/1 | 60.0% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 5 | 1/4/0 | 20.0% |
| C05 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 5 | 0/3/2 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 21 | 9/7/5 | 42.9% |
| D35 | Indian Defense | 15 | 2/6/7 | 13.3% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation | 8 | 2/3/3 | 25.0% |
| D38 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | 7 | 4/2/1 | 57.1% |
| B40 | Sicilian | 6 | 1/3/2 | 16.7% |
| C54 | Italian Game | 6 | 4/2/0 | 66.7% |
| A23 | English Opening | 5 | 2/2/1 | 40.0% |
| D34 | Queen's Gambit Declined | 5 | 0/4/1 | 0.0% |
| D80 | Grünfeld Defense | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| D34 | Catalan | 4 | 0/4/0 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2010 | Adrian O Pickersgill | 2,431 | Paignton Bruce Premier | C20 |
| Nov 1997 | Ali Mortazavi | 2,390 | chT2-BCF 9798 (4NCL) | C54 |
| Mar 2000 | Anthony R Corkett | 2,295 | chT2-BCF 9900 (4NCL) | A28 |
| Oct 1998 | Oliver A Jackson | 2,255 | Southport Open | C32 |
| May 2004 | Mark Lyell | 2,254 | chT-BCF 0304 (4NCL) | B01 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West of England Open | 2008 | 14 | 10.5 | 2,262 |
| Paington Open | 2009 | 14 | 8 | 2,185 |
| Southend Open | 2000 | 12 | 8.5 | 2,229 |
| ch-GBR Open | 2006 | 11 | 7 | 2,204 |
| ch-GBR 94th | 2007 | 11 | 5.5 | 2,207 |
| ch-GBR 95th | 2008 | 11 | 5 | 2,279 |
| chT3-BCF 0708 (4NCL) | 2008 | 10 | 6 | 2,229 |
| chT2-BCF 9899 (4NCL) | 1999 | 9 | 7 | 2,310 |
Interactive opening tree from all 320 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Russell A James's chess games?
320 games by Russell A James, from Apr 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 Russell A James has played.
What does Russell A James play on the first move as White?
Across 161 games with White in our database, Russell A James opens with 1.e4 (70% of games), 1.d4 (19% of games), 1.Nf3 (7% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Russell A James answers 1...e5 (66% of games), 1...c5 (14% of games), 1...d5 (13% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (57% of games), 1...d5 (36% of games), 1...d6 (4% of games).
What openings does Russell A James play as White?
As White, Russell A James's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Alapin (24 games, 37.5% win rate); French Defense (9 games, 66.7% win rate); Trompowsky Attack (9 games, 33.3% win rate). The full breakdown of 161 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Russell A James play as Black?
As Black, Russell A James most often plays: Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (21 games, 42.9% win rate); Indian Defense (15 games, 13.3% win rate); Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation (8 games, 25.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 159 games.
What is Russell A James's FIDE rating?
Russell A James is currently rated 2,075 in classical chess, 1,968 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 2,245 (Jul 2006).
How many games has Russell A James played?
Our database contains 320 games by Russell A James, covering Apr 2003 to Aug 2026. Overall record: 115 wins, 124 draws, 81 losses (35.9% win rate).
How do I prepare against Russell A James?
320 games by Russell A James 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.