Prepare against Valentin Valev
BGR · World #12,942 classical · FIDE ID 2909855
When preparing against Valentin Valev, expect 1.e4 in 59% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (85% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (76%).
Our database contains 126 games by Valentin Valev, covering Jan 2006 to Aug 2026. Below you'll find Valentin Valev's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Valentin Valev 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 | 2,129 | 2,129 | Aug 2026 |
| Rapid | 2,181 | 2,237 | Feb 2026 |
| Blitz | 2,108 | 2,108 | Aug 2026 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 126 | 43 | 23 | 60 | 34.1% |
| As White | 61 | 20 | 11 | 30 | 32.8% |
| As Black | 65 | 23 | 12 | 30 | 35.4% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Valentin Valev's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Valentin Valev's side.
First moves as White (61 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| e4 | 36 | 59.0% | 45.8% |
| d4 | 11 | 18.0% | 36.4% |
| c4 | 8 | 13.1% | 25.0% |
| Nf3 | 6 | 9.8% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.e4 — 59% of White games, 45.8% score
- …c5 (44% of these games) — Valev usually continues Nf3 (45.0% score)
- …e5 (19% of these games) — Valev usually continues Nf3 (85.7% score)
- …d5 (11% of these games) — Valev usually continues exd5 (16.7% score)
- 1.d4 — 18% of White games, 36.4% score
- …Nf6 (36% of these games) — Valev usually continues c4 (33.3% score)
- …d5 (27% of these games) — Valev usually continues c4 (0.0% score)
- …d6 (18% of these games) — Valev usually continues c4 (0.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (33 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 28 | 84.8% | 44.6% |
| d6 | 2 | 6.1% | 50.0% |
| e6 | 2 | 6.1% | 0.0% |
| e5 | 1 | 3.0% | 100.0% |
As Black against 1.d4 (17 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 13 | 76.5% | 42.3% |
| d5 | 4 | 23.5% | 62.5% |
Valentin Valev's chess games
All 126 games by Valentin Valev in the Chess.ceo database (Jan 2006 - 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: 43 wins, 23 draws, 60 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B92 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| A15 | English Opening | 4 | 1/1/2 | 25.0% |
| D13 | Slav Defense | 4 | 0/0/4 | 0.0% |
| C56 | Italian Game | 3 | 3/0/0 | 100.0% |
| B43 | Sicilian | 3 | 1/0/2 | 33.3% |
| A26 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| A41 | Queen's Pawn Game | 2 | 0/0/2 | 0.0% |
| C54 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 2 | 1/1/0 | 50.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B53 | Sicilian | 10 | 3/4/3 | 30.0% |
| B24 | Sicilian: Closed | 6 | 3/0/3 | 50.0% |
| B70 | Sicilian: Dragon | 6 | 2/0/4 | 33.3% |
| D35 | Indian Defense | 4 | 0/0/4 | 0.0% |
| A13 | English Opening | 3 | 0/1/2 | 0.0% |
| D15 | Slav Defense | 3 | 2/0/1 | 66.7% |
| E32 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | 3 | 1/1/1 | 33.3% |
| A01 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | 3 | 2/1/0 | 66.7% |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
| E41 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 2 | 1/0/1 | 50.0% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2006 | Lyudmila Khurshudova | 2,287 | 5th Kesarovski Georgiev Memorial | B34 |
| Aug 2025 | Valentin Panbukchian | 2,239 | 47th Georgi Tringov | A88 |
| Sep 2009 | Emil Todorov | 2,157 | 8th Kesarovski Georgiev Memorial | A45 |
| Aug 2024 | Dimitar Marholev | 2,124 | 46th Plovdiv Tringov Memorial | B31 |
| Jul 2026 | Krasimir Mutafov | 2,118 | Shumen Rapid 2026 | B22 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9th Kesarovski Georgiev Memorial | 2010 | 9 | 5 | 2,179 |
| 8th Kesarovski Georgiev Memorial | 2009 | 9 | 4.5 | 2,119 |
| 5th Kesarovski Georgiev Memorial | 2006 | 9 | 3.5 | 2,107 |
| 4th Kesarovski Georgiev Mem | 2005 | 9 | 3 | 1,982 |
| 17th ch-EU U10 | 2007 | 8 | 5 | 2,131 |
| ch-EU U12 | 2010 | 7 | 3 | 1,850 |
| Sunny Beach Open | 2008 | 7 | 3.5 | 2,057 |
| Shumen Rapid 2026 | 2026 | 6 | 2.5 | 2,122 |
Interactive opening tree from all 126 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Valentin Valev's chess games?
126 games by Valentin Valev, from Jan 2006 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 Valev has played.
What does Valentin Valev play on the first move as White?
Across 61 games with White in our database, Valentin Valev opens with 1.e4 (59% of games), 1.d4 (18% of games), 1.c4 (13% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Valentin Valev answers 1...c5 (85% of games), 1...d6 (6% of games), 1...e6 (6% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (76% of games), 1...d5 (24% of games).
What openings does Valentin Valev play as White?
As White, Valentin Valev's most-played openings in our database are: Sicilian: Najdorf (4 games, 25.0% win rate); English Opening (4 games, 25.0% win rate); Slav Defense (4 games, 0.0% win rate). The full breakdown of 61 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Valentin Valev play as Black?
As Black, Valentin Valev most often plays: Sicilian (10 games, 30.0% win rate); Sicilian: Closed (6 games, 50.0% win rate); Sicilian: Dragon (6 games, 33.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 65 games.
What is Valentin Valev's FIDE rating?
Valentin Valev is currently rated 2,129 in classical chess, 2,181 in rapid and 2,108 in blitz. Peak classical rating: 2,129 (Aug 2026).
How many games has Valentin Valev played?
Our database contains 126 games by Valentin Valev, covering Jan 2006 to Aug 2026. Overall record: 43 wins, 23 draws, 60 losses (34.1% win rate).
How do I prepare against Valentin Valev?
126 games by Valentin Valev 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.