Prepare against Valentin Popa
Romania · World #92,022 classical · FIDE ID 1229311
When preparing against Valentin Popa, expect 1.d4 in 69% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...e6 (88% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (64%).
Our database contains 60 games by Valentin Popa, covering Jul 2011 to Aug 2026. Below you'll find Valentin Popa's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Valentin Popa 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 | 1,752 | 1,822 | Apr 2026 |
| Rapid | 1,795 | 1,795 | Aug 2026 |
| Blitz | 1,759 | 1,759 | Aug 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 60 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 33.3% |
| As White | 26 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 42.3% |
| As Black | 34 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 26.5% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Valentin Popa's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Valentin Popa's side.
First moves as White (26 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d4 | 18 | 69.2% | 55.6% |
| e4 | 5 | 19.2% | 70.0% |
| Nf3 | 3 | 11.5% | 66.7% |
Main lines as White
- 1.d4 — 69% of White games, 55.6% score
- …Nf6 (56% of these games) — Popa usually continues c4 (65.0% score)
- …d5 (28% of these games) — Popa usually continues c4 (50.0% score)
- …c5 (11% of these games) — Popa usually continues d5 (50.0% score)
- 1.e4 — 19% of White games, 70.0% score
- …c5 (80% of these games) — Popa usually continues Nf3 (62.5% score)
- …e5 (20% of these games) — Popa usually continues Nf3 (100.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (17 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e6 | 15 | 88.2% | 43.3% |
| d6 | 2 | 11.8% | 25.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (11 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 7 | 63.6% | 57.1% |
| d6 | 4 | 36.4% | 25.0% |
Valentin Popa's chess games
All 60 games by Valentin Popa in the Chess.ceo database (Jul 2011 - 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: 20 wins, 21 draws, 19 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E94 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 6 | 2/3/1 | 33.3% |
| A44 | Benoni Defense | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| D12 | Slav Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| A86 | Queen's Pawn Game | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| D91 | Grünfeld Defense | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
| A05 | Petrov's Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| D36 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| E52 | Queen's Indian Defense | 1 | 1/0/0 | 100.0% |
| D09 | Albin Countergambit | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| A49 | Réti Opening | 1 | 0/1/0 | 0.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A08 | King's Indian Attack | 4 | 0/3/1 | 0.0% |
| C06 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 4 | 2/0/2 | 50.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 4 | 0/1/3 | 0.0% |
| A03 | Bird's opening | 3 | 1/2/0 | 33.3% |
| A65 | Benoni Defense | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| C19 | French: Winawer Variation | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| A13 | English Opening | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| C01 | French: Exchange Variation | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
| A07 | Réti Opening | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
| A48 | Torre Attack | 1 | 0/0/1 | 0.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1988 | Jiangchuan Ye | 2,505 | Belgrade GMA Open | B31 |
| Jan 1988 | Gerardo F Barbero | 2,505 | Belgrade GMA Open | B41 |
| Jan 1988 | Vladimir Okhotnik | 2,445 | Belgrade GMA Open | A05 |
| Jan 1999 | Mircea Tirziu | 2,280 | Timisoara Open | C01 |
| Jan 1997 | Dan Popescu | 2,250 | chT-ROM | E94 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| chT-ROM | 2002 | 13 | 2.5 | 2,111 |
| Belgrade GMA Open | 1988 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,499 |
| Pecs Open | 1996 | 9 | 5 | 2,292 |
| Mos Craciun Cup Open | 1999 | 9 | 6.5 | 2,312 |
| Ghiocelul Open | 2000 | 9 | 5.5 | 2,072 |
| Timisoara Open | 1999 | 8 | 6 | 2,298 |
| Sibenik Open | 1987 | 1 | 0.5 | 2,450 |
| Alba Grand Prix Rapid | 2026 | 1 | 0 | 2,103 |
Interactive opening tree from all 60 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Valentin Popa's chess games?
60 games by Valentin Popa, from Jul 2011 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 Valentin Popa has played.
What does Valentin Popa play on the first move as White?
Across 26 games with White in our database, Valentin Popa opens with 1.d4 (69% of games), 1.e4 (19% of games), 1.Nf3 (12% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Valentin Popa answers 1...e6 (88% of games), 1...d6 (12% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (64% of games), 1...d6 (36% of games).
What openings does Valentin Popa play as White?
As White, Valentin Popa's most-played openings in our database are: King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (6 games, 33.3% win rate); Benoni Defense (3 games, 66.7% win rate); Slav Defense (3 games, 33.3% win rate). The full breakdown of 26 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Valentin Popa play as Black?
As Black, Valentin Popa most often plays: King's Indian Attack (4 games, 0.0% win rate); French: Tarrasch Variation (4 games, 50.0% win rate); Pirc Defense (4 games, 0.0% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 34 games.
What is Valentin Popa's FIDE rating?
Valentin Popa is currently rated 1,752 in classical chess, 1,795 in rapid and 1,759 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 1,822 (Apr 2026).
How many games has Valentin Popa played?
Our database contains 60 games by Valentin Popa, covering Jul 2011 to Aug 2026. Overall record: 20 wins, 21 draws, 19 losses (33.3% win rate).
How do I prepare against Valentin Popa?
60 games by Valentin Popa 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.