Prepare against Zsolt Ballai
FM · Hungary · World #9,765 classical · FIDE ID 707309
When preparing against Zsolt Ballai, expect 1.d4 in 99% of White games. Against 1.e4 the reply is 1...c5 (100% of games); against 1.d4, 1...Nf6 (99%). Lowest win rate among frequent openings: Benoni Defense as White, 13.6% over 22 games.
Our database contains 340 games by Zsolt Ballai, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Below you'll find Zsolt Ballai's most-played openings with White and Black, career performance record, notable wins and top events — everything you need to scout Zsolt Ballai 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 | 2,173 | 2,322 | Apr 2003 |
| Rapid | 2,219 | 2,229 | Oct 2023 |
Performance record
| Split | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 340 | 106 | 176 | 58 | 31.2% |
| As White | 166 | 52 | 94 | 20 | 31.3% |
| As Black | 174 | 54 | 82 | 38 | 31.0% |
Move-by-move preparation stats
Straight from the preparation tree built over all of Zsolt Ballai's games — the same tree the interactive prep board lets you walk to any depth. Scores are from Zsolt Ballai's side.
First moves as White (166 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| d4 | 164 | 98.8% | 59.8% |
| Nf3 | 2 | 1.2% | 50.0% |
Main lines as White
- 1.d4 — 99% of White games, 59.8% score
- …Nf6 (56% of these games) — Ballai usually continues c4 (59.8% score)
- …d5 (33% of these games) — Ballai usually continues c4 (62.5% score)
- …e6 (4% of these games) — Ballai usually continues c4 (50.0% score)
- 1.Nf3 — 1% of White games, 50.0% score
- …c5 (50% of these games) — Ballai usually continues g3 (50.0% score)
- …d5 (50% of these games) — Ballai usually continues g3 (50.0% score)
As Black against 1.e4 (76 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| c5 | 76 | 100.0% | 55.9% |
As Black against 1.d4 (68 games)
| Move | Games | Share | Player score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 67 | 98.5% | 53.0% |
| g6 | 1 | 1.5% | 100.0% |
Zsolt Ballai's chess games
All 340 games by Zsolt Ballai in the Chess.ceo database (Apr 2003 - 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: 106 wins, 176 draws, 58 losses.
Openings as White
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D36 | Indian Defense | 33 | 10/16/7 | 30.3% |
| A57 | Benoni Defense | 22 | 3/15/4 | 13.6% |
| E20 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | 18 | 8/9/1 | 44.4% |
| E88 | King's Indian: Sämisch | 17 | 3/13/1 | 17.6% |
| D31 | Semi-Slav Defense | 10 | 5/5/0 | 50.0% |
| D15 | Slav Defense | 8 | 2/3/3 | 25.0% |
| D24 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | 7 | 1/5/1 | 14.3% |
| A40 | Queen's Pawn Game | 7 | 2/3/2 | 28.6% |
| D85 | Grünfeld Defense | 6 | 3/3/0 | 50.0% |
| D32 | Queen's Gambit Declined | 6 | 3/3/0 | 50.0% |
Openings as Black
| ECO | Opening | Games | W/D/L | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B92 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 40 | 13/19/8 | 32.5% |
| E94 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 17 | 7/5/5 | 41.2% |
| B50 | Sicilian | 14 | 2/8/4 | 14.3% |
| E63 | Indian Defense | 12 | 4/7/1 | 33.3% |
| E73 | King's Indian Defense: Averbakh System | 11 | 0/7/4 | 0.0% |
| E81 | King's Indian: Sämisch | 11 | 3/5/3 | 27.3% |
| E66 | King's Indian Defense | 9 | 4/2/3 | 44.4% |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 8 | 2/4/2 | 25.0% |
| B07 | Sicilian: Alapin | 7 | 3/4/0 | 42.9% |
| E63 | Réti Opening: Symmetrical Defense | 7 | 4/3/0 | 57.1% |
Notable wins
| Date | Opponent | Elo | Event | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2000 | Janos Szabolcsi | 2,411 | chT-HUN 0001 | A87 |
| Apr 2001 | Gyula Meszaros | 2,386 | chT-HUN 0001 | D01 |
| Feb 2016 | Viktor Varadi | 2,364 | chT2-HUN Barcza 1516 | E20 |
| Dec 2009 | Balazs Bakos | 2,363 | chT2-HUN Maroczy 0910 | D85 |
| Jan 1996 | Oleg Boricsev | 2,345 | chT2-HUN | B07 |
Top events
| Event | Year | Games | Score | TPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| chT-HUN | 1993 | 26 | 12.5 | 2,235 |
| Bekescsaba | 1996 | 21 | 7.5 | 2,223 |
| chT2-HUN Barcza 0607 | 2007 | 11 | 10 | 2,413 |
| chT2-HUN Barcza 1011 | 2011 | 11 | 9 | 2,383 |
| chT2-HUN Maroczy 1314 | 2014 | 11 | 5.5 | 2,257 |
| chT2-HUN Barcza 1819 | 2019 | 11 | 8 | 2,236 |
| chT-HUN 0102 | 2002 | 11 | 4.5 | 2,251 |
| chT2-HUN Maroczy 0910 | 2010 | 11 | 5 | 2,218 |
Interactive opening tree from all 340 games, weak-spot detection and engine analysis.
Start preparationFrequently asked questions
Where can I find Zsolt Ballai's chess games?
340 games by Zsolt Ballai, from Apr 2003 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 Zsolt Ballai has played.
What does Zsolt Ballai play on the first move as White?
Across 166 games with White in our database, Zsolt Ballai opens with 1.d4 (99% of games), 1.Nf3 (1% of games). Against 1.e4 as Black, Zsolt Ballai answers 1...c5 (100% of games). Against 1.d4: 1...Nf6 (99% of games), 1...g6 (1% of games).
What openings does Zsolt Ballai play as White?
As White, Zsolt Ballai's most-played openings in our database are: Indian Defense (33 games, 30.3% win rate); Benoni Defense (22 games, 13.6% win rate); Nimzo-Indian Defense (18 games, 44.4% win rate). The full breakdown of 166 games with White is in the table above.
What openings does Zsolt Ballai play as Black?
As Black, Zsolt Ballai most often plays: Sicilian: Najdorf (40 games, 32.5% win rate); King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (17 games, 41.2% win rate); Sicilian (14 games, 14.3% win rate). See the table above for the top ten Black openings across 174 games.
What is Zsolt Ballai's FIDE rating?
Zsolt Ballai is currently rated 2,173 in classical chess, 2,219 in rapid. Peak classical rating: 2,322 (Apr 2003).
How many games has Zsolt Ballai played?
Our database contains 340 games by Zsolt Ballai, covering Apr 2003 to Jul 2026. Overall record: 106 wins, 176 draws, 58 losses (31.2% win rate).
How do I prepare against Zsolt Ballai?
340 games by Zsolt Ballai 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.