Prepare against Sebastian Kesten
FM · DEU · World #4,014 classical · FIDE ID 24616214
When preparing against Sebastian Kesten, expect 1.d4 in 77% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (96% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (82%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation as Black, 26.7% over 15 games.
Our database contains 368 games by Sebastian Kesten, covering Oct 2004 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Sebastian Kesten's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Sebastian Kesten 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 | 2,303 | 2,307 | Feb 2023 |
| Blitz | 2,375 | 2,416 | May 2023 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 368 | 127 | 156 | 85 | 34.5% |
| As White | 190 | 71 | 82 | 37 | 37.4% |
| As Black | 178 | 56 | 74 | 48 | 31.5% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Sebastian Kesten's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Sebastian Kesten's side.
First moves as White (190 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d4 | 147 | 77.4% | 59.2% |
| c4 | 23 | 12.1% | 65.2% |
| e4 | 14 | 7.4% | 46.4% |
| Nf3 | 5 | 2.6% | 60.0% |
| g3 | 1 | 0.5% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.d4 — 77% of White games, 59.2% score
- …Nf6 (52% of these games) — Kesten usually continues c4 (56.9% score)
- …d5 (31% of these games) — Kesten usually continues c4 (64.8% score)
- …e6 (7% of these games) — Kesten usually continues c4 (58.3% score)
- 1.c4 — 12% of White games, 65.2% score
- …Nf6 (30% of these games) — Kesten usually continues g3 (75.0% score)
- …e6 (13% of these games) — Kesten usually continues g3 (83.3% score)
- …f5 (13% of these games) — Kesten usually continues g3 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (92 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 88 | 95.7% | 55.1% |
| e5 | 3 | 3.3% | 50.0% |
| d6 | 1 | 1.1% | 50.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (55 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 45 | 81.8% | 54.4% |
| d5 | 8 | 14.5% | 43.8% |
| d6 | 1 | 1.8% | 50.0% |
| c5 | 1 | 1.8% | 50.0% |
Sebastian Kesten's chess games
All 368 games by Sebastian Kesten in the Chess.ceo database (Oct 2004 - 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: 127 wins, 156 draws, 85 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D36 | Indian Defense | 25 | 8/12/5 | 32.0% |
| E99 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 14 | 6/5/3 | 42.9% |
| D10 | Slav Defense | 14 | 7/7/0 | 50.0% |
| D36 | Queen's Gambit Declined | 13 | 4/7/2 | 30.8% |
| A59 | Benoni Defense | 12 | 3/4/5 | 25.0% |
| E12 | Queen's Indian Defense | 8 | 3/3/2 | 37.5% |
| D91 | Grünfeld Defense | 7 | 4/1/2 | 57.1% |
| A38 | English Opening | 7 | 3/4/0 | 42.9% |
| D07 | Queen's Gambit | 6 | 4/1/1 | 66.7% |
| E41 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 5 | 2/2/1 | 40.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B32 | Sicilian | 28 | 13/6/9 | 46.4% |
| E91 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 15 | 4/6/5 | 26.7% |
| B73 | Sicilian: Dragon | 15 | 7/4/4 | 46.7% |
| B51 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 12 | 2/7/3 | 16.7% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 11 | 4/3/4 | 36.4% |
| B34 | Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon | 10 | 3/7/0 | 30.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 9 | 2/4/3 | 22.2% |
| A65 | Benoni Defense | 8 | 3/4/1 | 37.5% |
| A26 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 7 | 3/3/1 | 42.9% |
| D00 | Indian Defense | 5 | 1/3/1 | 20.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2011 | Andras Dr. Flumbort | 2,572 | 5th Wunsiedel Open | D91 |
| May 2017 | Martin Voigt | 2,340 | Oberliga Nord N 1617 | D10 |
| Oct 2013 | Julian Zimmermann | 2,306 | Oberliga Nord N 1314 | B53 |
| Jan 2012 | Michael Becker | 2,301 | BL2-Nord 1112 | B51 |
| Mar 2016 | Giso Jahncke | 2,292 | BL2-Nord 1516 | A14 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ch-Mecklenburg VP MT | 2006 | 27 | 13.5 | 2,068 |
| ch-GER U12 | 2001 | 22 | 10 | 1,428 |
| chT-GER Lands U20 | 2008 | 14 | 6.5 | 2,045 |
| ch-Mecklenburg VP U14 | 2003 | 14 | 10.5 | – |
| ch-Mecklenburg VP U18 | 2007 | 14 | 10 | 1,731 |
| ch-GER U10 | 1999 | 11 | 7 | – |
| ch-GER U16 | 2004 | 9 | 3 | 1,852 |
| ch-GER U18 | 2007 | 9 | 4 | 1,984 |
Interactive opening tree from all 368 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Sebastian Kesten's chess games?
368 games by Sebastian Kesten, from Oct 2004 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 Sebastian Kesten has played.
What does Sebastian Kesten play on the first move as White?
Across 190 games with White in our database, Sebastian Kesten opens with 1.d4 (77% of games), 1.c4 (12% of games), 1.e4 (7% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Sebastian Kesten answers 1...c5 (96% of games), 1...e5 (3% of games), 1...d6 (1% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (82% of games), 1...d5 (15% of games), 1...d6 (2% of games).
What openings does Sebastian Kesten play as White?
As White, Sebastian Kesten's most-played openings in our database are: Indian Defense (25 games, 32.0% win rate); King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (14 games, 42.9% win rate); Slav Defense (14 games, 50.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 190 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Sebastian Kesten play as Black?
As Black, Sebastian Kesten most often plays: Sicilian (28 games, 46.4% win rate); King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (15 games, 26.7% win rate); Sicilian: Dragon (15 games, 46.7% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 178 games.
What is Sebastian Kesten's FIDE rating?
Sebastian Kesten is currently rated 2,303 in classical chess and 2,375 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,307 (Feb 2023).
How many games has Sebastian Kesten played?
Our database contains 368 games by Sebastian Kesten, covering Oct 2004 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 127 wins, 156 draws, 85 losses (34.5% win rate).
How do I prepare against Sebastian Kesten?
368 games by Sebastian Kesten 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.