Prepare against Samuel Zenelaj
FM · Bosnia & Herzegovina · World #6,457 classical · FIDE ID 4701631
Our database contains 510 games by Samuel Zenelaj, covering Apr 2015 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Samuel Zenelaj's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Samuel Zenelaj 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 | 2,236 | 2,327 | Mar 2023 |
| Rapid | 2,257 | 2,275 | Apr 2025 |
| Blitz | 2,262 | 2,262 | Jul 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 510 | 208 | 96 | 206 | 40.8% |
| As White | 259 | 106 | 53 | 100 | 40.9% |
| As Black | 251 | 102 | 43 | 106 | 40.6% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Samuel Zenelaj's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Samuel Zenelaj's side.
First moves as White (259 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 238 | 91.9% | 51.3% |
| c4 | 19 | 7.3% | 50.0% |
| Nf3 | 1 | 0.4% | 100.0% |
| d4 | 1 | 0.4% | 0.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 92% of White games, 51.3% score
- …c5 (36% of these games) — Zenelaj usually continues Nf3 (45.3% score)
- …e6 (18% of these games) — Zenelaj usually continues d4 (54.5% score)
- …e5 (18% of these games) — Zenelaj usually continues Nf3 (40.7% score)
- 1.c4 — 7% of White games, 50.0% score
- …e5 (32% of these games) — Zenelaj usually continues Nc3 (80.0% score)
- …Nf6 (26% of these games) — Zenelaj usually continues Nc3 (30.0% score)
- …e6 (16% of these games) — Zenelaj usually continues Nc3 (25.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (114 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 78 | 68.4% | 47.4% |
| c5 | 32 | 28.1% | 56.3% |
| e6 | 2 | 1.8% | 0.0% |
| d6 | 1 | 0.9% | 100.0% |
| g6 | 1 | 0.9% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (84 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 83 | 98.8% | 54.2% |
| d5 | 1 | 1.2% | 50.0% |
Samuel Zenelaj's chess games
All 510 games by Samuel Zenelaj in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2015 - 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: 208 wins, 96 draws, 206 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C07 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 36 | 19/6/11 | 52.8% |
| B42 | Sicilian | 23 | 8/2/13 | 34.8% |
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 20 | 8/2/10 | 40.0% |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 14 | 3/4/7 | 21.4% |
| B15 | Caro-Kann: Main Line | 13 | 7/6/0 | 53.8% |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 11 | 4/3/4 | 36.4% |
| C77 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 10 | 1/1/8 | 10.0% |
| B36 | Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon | 9 | 4/3/2 | 44.4% |
| B18 | Caro-Kann: Classical | 8 | 3/3/2 | 37.5% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 8 | 3/3/2 | 37.5% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D35 | Indian Defense | 27 | 11/8/8 | 40.7% |
| C56 | Italian Game | 22 | 8/2/12 | 36.4% |
| E11 | Bogo-Indian Defense | 21 | 8/4/9 | 38.1% |
| A05 | Réti Opening | 20 | 2/6/12 | 10.0% |
| C78 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 15 | 6/3/6 | 40.0% |
| A13 | English Opening | 13 | 5/4/4 | 38.5% |
| B92 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 12 | 4/0/8 | 33.3% |
| B53 | Sicilian | 11 | 7/0/4 | 63.6% |
| C45 | Scotch Game | 8 | 4/2/2 | 50.0% |
| C68 | Ruy Lopez: Exchange | 7 | 1/2/4 | 14.3% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | Alan Pichot | 2,638 | Titled Tue Early | B48 |
| Mar 2023 | Vasif Durarbayli | 2,635 | Titled Tue Early | B51 |
| Mar 2023 | Pier Luigi Basso | 2,522 | Titled Tue Early | E11 |
| Apr 2023 | Marcus R Harvey | 2,462 | Titled Tue Late | E00 |
| Dec 2022 | Jose Rafael Gascon Del Nogal | 2,458 | Titled Tue Late | B52 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titled Tuesday | 2025 | 303 | 143 | 2,236 |
| Hvar Arsenal Blitz Open | 2022 | 11 | 7 | 2,177 |
| Hvar Arsenal Open | 2022 | 9 | 6.5 | 2,302 |
| 49th Sarajevo Bosna Open | 2019 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,127 |
| 19th chT-BIH | 2021 | 9 | 3.5 | 2,173 |
| 3rd Hvar Open | 2024 | 9 | 6.5 | 2,252 |
| 22nd chT-BIH | 2024 | 9 | 3 | 2,229 |
| 29th chT-BIH | 2022 | 9 | 7.5 | 2,402 |
Interactive opening tree from all 510 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Samuel Zenelaj's chess games?
510 games by Samuel Zenelaj, from Apr 2015 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 Samuel Zenelaj has played.
What does Samuel Zenelaj play on the first move as White?
Across 259 games with White in our database, Samuel Zenelaj opens with 1.e4 (92% of games), 1.c4 (7% of games), 1.Nf3 (0% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Samuel Zenelaj answers 1...e5 (68% of games), 1...c5 (28% of games), 1...e6 (2% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (99% of games), 1...d5 (1% of games).
What openings does Samuel Zenelaj play as White?
As White, Samuel Zenelaj's most-played openings in our database are: French: Tarrasch Variation (36 games, 52.8% win rate); Sicilian (23 games, 34.8% win rate); Sicilian: Moscow Variation (20 games, 40.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 259 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Samuel Zenelaj play as Black?
As Black, Samuel Zenelaj most often plays: Indian Defense (27 games, 40.7% win rate); Italian Game (22 games, 36.4% win rate); Bogo-Indian Defense (21 games, 38.1% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 251 games.
What is Samuel Zenelaj's FIDE rating?
Samuel Zenelaj is currently rated 2,236 in classical chess, 2,257 in rapid and 2,262 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,327 (Mar 2023).
How many games has Samuel Zenelaj played?
Our database contains 510 games by Samuel Zenelaj, covering Apr 2015 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 208 wins, 96 draws, 206 losses (40.8% win rate).
How do I prepare against Samuel Zenelaj?
510 games by Samuel Zenelaj 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.