Does giving more checks lead to winning? This analysis explores the correlation between check frequency and game outcomes across rating brackets.
Source Lichess·Games 2.1B·Range 2023-12 to 2025-11·Updated January 2026
Metric = percentage of decisive games where the player giving more checks wins. Higher = stronger correlation between checks and winning.
The player who gives more checks wins 67% of decisive games.
More checks correlates strongly with winning, but cause and effect are intertwined - winning positions often naturally enable more checks.
Games with above-average check count
Games with below-average check count
| Time Control | Avg Checks | Games |
|---|---|---|
1Rapid | 5.6 | 304,566,875 |
2Classical | 5.5 | 11,601,244 |
3Blitz | 5.2 | 992,627,574 |
UltraBullet | 4.3 | 13,375,742 |
Bullet | 4.3 | 776,651,685 |
| Rating | Checks/Game | White Checks | More Checks Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-999 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 67.0% |
| 1000-1199 | 5.1 | 2.7 | 67.7% |
| 1200-1399 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 67.6% |
| 1400-1599 | 4.9 | 2.5 | 67.6% |
| 1600-1799 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 67.3% |
| 1800-1999 | 4.9 | 2.5 | 67.2% |
| 2000-2199 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 66.9% |
| 2200-2499 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 66.7% |
| 2500+ | 5.5 | 2.9 | 65.5% |
Yes - the player who gives more checks wins 67% of decisive Lichess games. Games average 4.9 total checks, with White giving 2.6 and Black giving 2.4 on average. However, correlation isn't causation - winning positions often naturally enable more checks.
The average chess game contains 4.9 total checks. White delivers 2.6 while Black delivers 2.4—0.2 more for White (8% difference).
In Lichess games, the player who delivers more checks wins 67% of decisive games—a strong correlation. Checks often accompany winning attacks, though winning positions also enable more checks.
White averages 2.6 checks per game while Black averages 2.4 in Lichess data. White's initiative leads to 0.2 more checks per game.
No. 0-999 players average 5.3 checks versus 5.5 for 2500+—0.2 fewer at lower ratings.
At 0-999, the player with more checks wins 67% of decisive games. At 2500+, it's 66%—a 2 point drop at higher ratings.
The player with more checks wins 67% of decisive games—meaningful, but forcing checks wastes tempo. Focus on checks that win material, expose the king, or force a worse square.
The 67% correlation comes from purposeful checks—those that win material, expose the king, or set up checkmate. Before checking, ask: "What does this accomplish?"
UltraBullet games average 4.3 checks (correlation: 67%) vs Classical's 5.5 (71%).
In Lichess games, the player receiving more checks loses 67% of decisive games. Castle early, don't advance pawns in front of your king, and keep defenders nearby.