Prepare against Tom Balmond
United Kingdom · World #40,537 classical · FIDE ID 343420532
When preparing against Tom Balmond, expect 1.e4 in 100% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e5 (100% of games); against 1.d4, 1...d5 (100%).
Our database contains 40 games by Tom Balmond, covering Oct 2023 to Aug 2026. Below you'll find Tom Balmond's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Tom Balmond 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 | 1,933 | 1,933 | Aug 2026 |
| Rapid | 1,945 | 1,945 | Aug 2026 |
| Blitz | 1,782 | 1,782 | Aug 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 40 | 16 | 2 | 22 | 40.0% |
| As White | 20 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 45.0% |
| As Black | 20 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 35.0% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Tom Balmond's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Tom Balmond's side.
First moves as White (20 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 20 | 100.0% | 45.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 100% of White games, 45.0% score
- …c5 (30% of these games) — Balmond usually continues Nf3 (33.3% score)
- …c6 (20% of these games) — Balmond usually continues d4 (50.0% score)
- …e6 (15% of these games) — Balmond usually continues d4 (66.7% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (13 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e5 | 13 | 100.0% | 50.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (5 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d5 | 5 | 100.0% | 20.0% |
Tom Balmond's chess games
All 40 games by Tom Balmond in the Chess.ceo database (Oct 2023 - 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: 16 wins, 2 draws, 22 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B15 | Caro-Kann: Main Line | 4 | 2/0/2 | 50.0% |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| C11 | French: Classical Variation | 2 | 2/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B41 | Sicilian | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| B00 | Nimzowitsch Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B00 | Owen Defense | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense: Lion System | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C45 | Scotch Game | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B06 | Sicilian: Closed | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D10 | Slav Defense | 4 | 1/0/3 | 25.0% |
| C54 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 4 | 0/1/3 | 0.0% |
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 2 | 2/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C50 | Italian Game | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| D00 | Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| A07 | Réti Opening | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| C45 | Scotch Game | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| C21 | Danish Gambit | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| C29 | Vienna Game | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| A23 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | Marcus R Harvey | 2,450 | 2026 Mind Sports Olympiad London Rapid - Open | B15 |
| Mar 2025 | Siva Mahadevan | 2,369 | British Rapidplay | B00 |
| Aug 2026 | Antanas Zapolskis | 2,158 | 2026 Mind Sports Olympiad London Rapid - Open | C51 |
| Aug 2026 | John Cawdery | 2,068 | 2026 Mind Sports Olympiad London Rapid - Blitz (Sat) | B15 |
| Mar 2025 | Robert K Taylor | 1,896 | British Rapidplay | C45 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Rapidplay | 2025 | 10 | 4.5 | 1,901 |
| London Menchik Memorial Blitz Open | 2024 | 9 | 1 | 1,458 |
| 2026 Mind Sports Olympiad London Rapid - Blitz (Sat) | 2026 | 8 | 3 | 1,837 |
| 2026 Mind Sports Olympiad London Rapid - Open | 2026 | 5 | 3 | 2,224 |
| 4th London Mindsports Rapid Open | 2024 | 5 | 3 | 1,961 |
| 2026 English Schools Chess Championships Final | 2026 | 3 | 2.5 | 2,016 |
Interactive opening tree from all 40 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Tom Balmond's chess games?
40 games by Tom Balmond, from Oct 2023 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 Tom Balmond has played.
What does Tom Balmond play on the first move as White?
Across 20 games with White in our database, Tom Balmond opens with 1.e4 (100% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Tom Balmond answers 1...e5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...d5 (100% of games).
What openings does Tom Balmond play as White?
As White, Tom Balmond's most-played openings in our database are: Caro-Kann: Main Line (4 games, 50.0% win rate); Sicilian: Alapin (2 games, 0.0% win rate); French: Classical Variation (2 games, 100.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 20 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Tom Balmond play as Black?
As Black, Tom Balmond most often plays: Slav Defense (4 games, 25.0% win rate); Italian Game: Classical Variation (4 games, 0.0% win rate); Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (2 games, 100.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 20 games.
What is Tom Balmond's FIDE rating?
Tom Balmond is currently rated 1,933 in classical chess, 1,945 in rapid and 1,782 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 1,933 (Aug 2026).
How many games has Tom Balmond played?
Our database contains 40 games by Tom Balmond, covering Oct 2023 to Aug 2026. Overall record: 16 wins, 2 draws, 22 losses (40.0% win rate).
How do I prepare against Tom Balmond?
40 games by Tom Balmond 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.