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Analyzer

Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation

168 games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Key Finding

Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation is balanced for Black at 51.2% expected score.

Results are roughly even — the middlegame decides more than this opening choice does.

You play
Tough Sell
Rating
Time
Black Expected Score51.2%Based on 168 gamesWin + ½×draw — predicts rating gain better than win rate
40%51.2%65%
Range (90% confident): 44.9% – 57.4%
Min adv-10.2%
ContextAll ratings · All speeds · n=168
Outcome Distribution
9...Bb4
Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation
Analyzen=168
Avg Length46 moves
Sharpness88%
Draw Rate12.1%

Sharpness — share of games that end decisively

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation has a 51.2% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 44.9% and 57.4%), based on 168 Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 60% → 44%

1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1000-1199: 60.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1200-1399: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1400-1599: 33.3% win rate (3 games)
  • 1600-1799: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1800-1999: 45.9% win rate (17 games)
  • 2000-2199: 37.7% win rate (29 games)
  • 2200-2499: 49.0% win rate (73 games)
  • 2500+: 43.8% win rate (43 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Classical (71%), worst in Bullet (36%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 36.0% win rate (36 games)
  • Blitz: 46.3% win rate (101 games)
  • Rapid: 47.5% win rate (29 games)
  • Classical: 71.4% win rate (2 games)

Black% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter — click it again to clear. 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

  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 29.0% expected score (8 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 67.7% expected score (7 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 31.9% expected score (4 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 33.8% expected score (17 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 65.8% expected score (8 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 43.6% expected score (14 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 59.9% expected score (49 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (9 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 41.4% expected score (16 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 59.4% expected score (25 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 35.7% expected score (2 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Four Knights Game
47.3%
Variations (5)
Four Knights Game: Italian Variation
48.7%
Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation Accepted
51.9%
Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation
50.7%
Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Classical Variation
49.0%
Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation
52.8%
Analyze Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates at your level with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation win rate?

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation has a 42.8% (90% CI: 36.6%-49.1%) win rate for white, based on 168 rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation perform best?

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation performs best at 2200-2499 Elo with a 36.9% win rate for white (73 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

How sharp is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation?

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation has a sharpness score of 87.9 (moderately decisive), meaning 87.9% of games end decisively. Average game length is 46 moves.

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation has a 41.5% (90% CI: 33.6%-49.5%) win rate for white (101 Lichess games). Draw rate is 12.2%.

Is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation a good opening?

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Bardeleben Variation is slightly favors black with a 42.8% (90% CI: 36.6%-49.1%) 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.