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Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation

1.3K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Key Finding

Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation is balanced for Black at 49.4% expected score.

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

You play
Tough Sell
Rating
Time
Black Expected Score49.4%Based on 1.3K gamesWin + ½×draw — predicts rating gain better than win rate
40%49.4%55%
Range (90% confident): 47.1% – 51.7%
Min adv-5.8%
ContextAll ratings · All speeds · n=1.3K
Outcome Distribution
10...Qd5
Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation
Analyzen=1.3K
Avg Length36 moves
Sharpness91%
Draw Rate9.4%

Sharpness — share of games that end decisively

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

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 49.4% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 47.1% and 51.7%), based on 1.3K Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 29% → 35%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 29.4% win rate (7 games)
  • 1000-1199: 58.6% win rate (13 games)
  • 1200-1399: 47.3% win rate (44 games)
  • 1400-1599: 57.2% win rate (78 games)
  • 1600-1799: 55.1% win rate (132 games)
  • 1800-1999: 46.5% win rate (219 games)
  • 2000-2199: 43.9% win rate (341 games)
  • 2200-2499: 40.0% win rate (340 games)
  • 2500+: 35.4% win rate (130 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Classical (53%), worst in Rapid (42%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 46.4% win rate (355 games)
  • Blitz: 44.4% win rate (660 games)
  • Rapid: 42.3% win rate (267 games)
  • Classical: 53.2% win rate (22 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

  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 27.8% expected score (3 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 31.9% expected score (4 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 73.6% expected score (7 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 78.6% expected score (2 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 26.0% expected score (11 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 67.6% expected score (27 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 36.7% expected score (6 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 59.1% expected score (15 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 56.3% expected score (38 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 57.0% expected score (20 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 73.1% expected score (5 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 66.3% expected score (20 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 54.3% expected score (68 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 56.0% expected score (40 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 54.6% expected score (42 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 45.6% expected score (112 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 53.4% expected score (57 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 55.3% expected score (8 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 56.8% expected score (73 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 48.7% expected score (187 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 43.1% expected score (78 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 72.3% expected score (3 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 49.4% expected score (83 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 45.2% expected score (196 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 46.7% expected score (59 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 35.7% expected score (2 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 40.9% expected score (103 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 44.4% expected score (25 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 50.0% 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, Spielmann 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, Spielmann Variation win rate?

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 45.9% (90% CI: 43.7%-48.2%) win rate for white, based on 1.3K rated games from Lichess.

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

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 52.1% win rate for white (130 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (47.5%) outperforms Rapid (44.1%) by 3.4%. Choose your time control wisely.

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

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a sharpness score of 90.6 (decisive), meaning 90.6% of games end decisively. Average game length is 36 moves.

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 41.6% (90% CI: 34.7%-48.6%) win rate for white, based on 132 Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 3.4% draw rate.

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 46.9% (90% CI: 41.4%-52.5%) win rate for white, based on 219 Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 6.6% draw rate.

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 45.1% (90% CI: 40.7%-49.5%) win rate for white, based on 341 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 10.9% draw rate.

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 47.3% (90% CI: 42.9%-51.7%) win rate for white, based on 340 Lichess games. Average game length is 39 moves with a 12.7% draw rate.

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 52.1% (90% CI: 44.9%-59.2%) win rate for white, based on 130 Lichess games. Average game length is 45 moves with a 12.5% draw rate.

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 47.5% (90% CI: 43.2%-51.9%) win rate for white (355 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.0%.

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

In Blitz games, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 46.2% (90% CI: 43.0%-49.4%) win rate for white (660 Lichess games). Draw rate is 9.4%.

What is the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation has a 44.1% (90% CI: 39.2%-49.1%) win rate for white (267 Lichess games). Draw rate is 13.6%.

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

The Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation, Spielmann Variation is statistically balanced with a 45.9% (90% CI: 43.7%-48.2%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2500+ Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.