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Analyzer

English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation

384 games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
Black Expected Score50.7%Range (90% confident): 46.5% – 54.8%Based on 384 games
0%50.7%100%
Range (90% confident): 46.5% – 54.8%
Outcome Distribution
47.3%6.6%46.0%
Win
Draw
Loss
6...Nh6
English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation
Analyzen=384
Avg Length37 moves
Sharpness93%
Draw Rate6.6%

What is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation has a 50.7% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 46.5% and 54.8%), based on 384 Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 12.3% · Bullet best · Blitz worst

Black Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 20% → 54%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1000-1199: 60.0% win rate (6 games)
  • 1200-1399: 56.5% win rate (10 games)
  • 1400-1599: 63.6% win rate (4 games)
  • 1600-1799: 42.9% win rate (9 games)
  • 1800-1999: 50.5% win rate (49 games)
  • 2000-2199: 47.7% win rate (161 games)
  • 2200-2499: 41.8% win rate (124 games)
  • 2500+: 53.5% win rate (20 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Classical (60%), worst in Rapid (39%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 43.2% win rate (120 games)
  • Blitz: 49.7% win rate (245 games)
  • Rapid: 38.5% win rate (18 games)
  • Classical: 60.0% win rate (1 games)

Black% by Rating × Time Control

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

RatingUBBulleBlitzRapidClass
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, Bullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 86.4% expected score (4 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 61.2% expected score (3 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 68.2% expected score (4 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 78.6% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 43.3% expected score (6 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 47.8% expected score (21 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 56.8% expected score (28 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 46.6% expected score (57 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 54.9% expected score (100 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 31.9% expected score (4 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 36.2% expected score (31 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 51.2% expected score (88 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 27.0% expected score (5 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 57.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (14 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)

Related Openings

Parent
English Opening
50.4%
Variations (5)
English Opening: King's English Variation
51.0%
English Opening: Agincourt Defense
50.2%
English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense
52.0%
English Opening: King's English Variation, Reversed Sicilian
52.2%
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation
50.5%
Analyze English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation win rate?

The English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation has a 46.0% (90% CI: 41.9%-50.2%) win rate for white, based on 384 rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation perform best?

The English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation performs best at 2200-2499 Elo with a 49.8% win rate for white (124 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (53.9%) outperforms Blitz (41.6%) by 12.3%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation?

The English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation has a sharpness score of 93.4 (decisive), meaning 93.4% of games end decisively. Average game length is 37 moves.

What is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation has a 45.2% (90% CI: 38.9%-51.7%) win rate for white, based on 161 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 7.1% draw rate.

What is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation has a 49.8% (90% CI: 42.5%-57.1%) win rate for white, based on 124 Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 8.4% draw rate.

What is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation has a 53.9% (90% CI: 46.5%-61.3%) win rate for white (120 Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.9%.

What is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation has a 41.6% (90% CI: 36.5%-46.8%) win rate for white (245 Lichess games). Draw rate is 8.7%.

Is the English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation a good opening?

The English Opening: Closed, Taimanov Variation is slightly favors black with a 46.0% (90% CI: 41.9%-50.2%) 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.