Center Game: Normal Variation

4.0M games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

View As

Tough Sell

White Expected Score47.1%Range (90% confident): 47.1% – 47.2%Based on 4.0M games

0%47.1%100%

Range (90% confident): 47.1% – 47.2%

Outcome Distribution

45.2%3.7%51.0%

Win

Draw

Loss

3...Nc6

Center Game: Normal Variation

Analyzen=4.0M

Avg Length32 moves

Sharpness96%

Draw Rate3.7%

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 47.1% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 47.1% and 47.2%), based on 4.0M Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 16.9% · UltraBullet best · Classical worst

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 41% → 48%

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

2200

2500+

White Win% by Time Control

Best in UltraBullet (54%), worst in Classical (37%)

UltraBullet

Bullet

Blitz

Rapid

Classical

White% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter. Green = above 50%, Red = below 50%.

Rating	UB	Bulle	Blitz	Rapid	Class
0-999
1000-1199
1200-1399
1400-1599
1600-1799
1800-1999
2000-2199
2200-2499
2500+

Expected score matrix by rating bracket and time control

0-999 rating, UltraBullet: 53.2% expected score (232 games)
0-999 rating, Bullet: 46.8% expected score (98,192 games)
0-999 rating, Blitz: 42.2% expected score (223,890 games)
0-999 rating, Rapid: 39.7% expected score (76,885 games)
0-999 rating, Classical: 29.4% expected score (442 games)
1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 52.9% expected score (443 games)
1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 49.7% expected score (166,167 games)
1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 45.1% expected score (446,171 games)
1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 42.0% expected score (167,834 games)
1000-1199 rating, Classical: 38.1% expected score (2,326 games)
1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 58.5% expected score (490 games)
1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 50.7% expected score (200,874 games)
1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 47.2% expected score (542,067 games)
1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 43.9% expected score (236,187 games)
1200-1399 rating, Classical: 39.2% expected score (7,328 games)
1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 56.6% expected score (508 games)
1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 50.8% expected score (202,981 games)
1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 48.0% expected score (467,794 games)
1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 44.5% expected score (209,844 games)
1400-1599 rating, Classical: 38.2% expected score (10,560 games)
1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 53.0% expected score (306 games)
1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 51.3% expected score (174,412 games)
1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 49.2% expected score (289,224 games)
1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 47.0% expected score (117,021 games)
1600-1799 rating, Classical: 40.9% expected score (5,191 games)
1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 50.4% expected score (124 games)
1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 51.2% expected score (102,013 games)
1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 49.8% expected score (121,576 games)
1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 48.5% expected score (41,358 games)
1800-1999 rating, Classical: 43.5% expected score (994 games)
2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 42.9% expected score (111 games)
2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 51.1% expected score (48,176 games)
2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 51.5% expected score (27,202 games)
2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 49.2% expected score (5,957 games)
2000-2199 rating, Classical: 44.8% expected score (84 games)
2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 47.0% expected score (82 games)
2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 52.9% expected score (18,348 games)
2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 53.9% expected score (6,268 games)
2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 47.8% expected score (1,100 games)
2200-2499 rating, Classical: 64.7% expected score (19 games)
2500+ rating, UltraBullet: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
2500+ rating, Bullet: 51.7% expected score (2,165 games)
2500+ rating, Blitz: 55.1% expected score (645 games)
2500+ rating, Rapid: 52.4% expected score (61 games)
2500+ rating, Classical: 40.5% expected score (9 games)

Related Openings

Parent

Center Game

53.6%

Variations (5)

Center Game: Berger Variation

50.7%

Center Game: Charousek Variation

46.8%

Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit

51.1%

Center Game: Halasz-McDonnell Gambit, Crocodile Variation

47.6%

Center Game: Hall Variation

48.4%

Analyze Center Game: Normal Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate?

The Center Game: Normal Variation has a 45.2% (90% CI: 45.2%-45.3%) win rate for white, based on 4.0M rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Center Game: Normal Variation perform best?

The Center Game: Normal Variation performs best at 2200-2499 Elo with a 50.4% win rate for white (26K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Center Game: Normal Variation better in blitz or rapid?

UltraBullet (53.6%) outperforms Classical (36.7%) by 16.9%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Center Game: Normal Variation?

The Center Game: Normal Variation has a sharpness score of 96.3 (very decisive), meaning 96.3% of games end decisively. Average game length is 32 moves.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate at 0-999 Elo?

At 0-999 Elo, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 41.1% (90% CI: 40.9%-41.2%) win rate for white, based on 400K Lichess games. Average game length is 26 moves with a 3.5% draw rate.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate at 1000-1199 Elo?

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 43.6% (90% CI: 43.5%-43.7%) win rate for white, based on 783K Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 3.6% draw rate.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate at 1200-1399 Elo?

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 45.2% (90% CI: 45.1%-45.3%) win rate for white, based on 987K Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 3.6% draw rate.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 45.9% (90% CI: 45.8%-45.9%) win rate for white, based on 892K Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 3.7% draw rate.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 47.4% (90% CI: 47.3%-47.5%) win rate for white, based on 586K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 3.9% draw rate.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 48.0% (90% CI: 47.8%-48.2%) win rate for white, based on 266K Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 4.1% draw rate.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 48.8% (90% CI: 48.5%-49.1%) win rate for white, based on 82K Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 4.5% draw rate.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 50.4% (90% CI: 49.9%-51.0%) win rate for white, based on 26K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 4.9% draw rate.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 48.3% (90% CI: 46.8%-49.8%) win rate for white, based on 2.9K Lichess games. Average game length is 40 moves with a 8.1% draw rate.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate in UltraBullet?

In UltraBullet games, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 53.6% (90% CI: 51.9%-55.3%) win rate for white (2.3K Lichess games). Draw rate is 1.0%.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 49.1% (90% CI: 49.1%-49.2%) win rate for white (1.0M Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.5%.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 44.9% (90% CI: 44.8%-44.9%) win rate for white (2.1M Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.1%.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 41.8% (90% CI: 41.7%-41.8%) win rate for white (856K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.4%.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation win rate in Classical?

In Classical games, the Center Game: Normal Variation has a 36.7% (90% CI: 36.2%-37.2%) win rate for white (27K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.6%.

Is the Center Game: Normal Variation a good opening?

The Center Game: Normal Variation is slightly favors black with a 45.2% (90% CI: 45.2%-45.3%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2200-2499 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.

What is the Center Game: Normal Variation expected score for White?