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Analyzer

French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation

113K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
Black Expected Score52.0%Range (90% confident): 51.8% – 52.3%Based on 113K games
0%52.0%100%
Range (90% confident): 51.8% – 52.3%
Outcome Distribution
49.9%4.2%45.9%
Win
Draw
Loss
4...Be7
French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation
Analyzen=113K
Avg Length34 moves
Sharpness96%
Draw Rate4.2%

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 52.0% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 51.8% and 52.3%), based on 113K Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 52% → 42%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 52.4% win rate (1,471 games)
  • 1000-1199: 50.5% win rate (3,260 games)
  • 1200-1399: 50.5% win rate (7,742 games)
  • 1400-1599: 50.7% win rate (16,731 games)
  • 1600-1799: 50.8% win rate (26,181 games)
  • 1800-1999: 50.1% win rate (31,951 games)
  • 2000-2199: 48.5% win rate (19,119 games)
  • 2200-2499: 46.3% win rate (5,621 games)
  • 2500+: 41.9% win rate (893 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Similar across time controls (~50%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 47.8% win rate (10 games)
  • Bullet: 50.1% win rate (25,040 games)
  • Blitz: 49.8% win rate (67,286 games)
  • Rapid: 50.0% win rate (19,747 games)
  • Classical: 50.0% win rate (886 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: 53.1% expected score (293 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 54.1% expected score (751 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 54.7% expected score (424 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Classical: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 52.0% expected score (881 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 52.4% expected score (1,649 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 50.6% expected score (716 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 62.9% expected score (14 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 52.4% expected score (1,802 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 52.5% expected score (4,339 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 50.7% expected score (1,545 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 54.4% expected score (56 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 57.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 53.3% expected score (3,355 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 51.9% expected score (10,006 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 52.7% expected score (3,211 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 54.5% expected score (154 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 52.1% expected score (5,008 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 52.7% expected score (15,826 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 53.5% expected score (5,039 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 55.4% expected score (304 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 52.0% expected score (5,507 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 52.2% expected score (20,461 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 53.8% expected score (5,686 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 49.9% expected score (296 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 50.9% expected score (4,415 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 51.4% expected score (11,859 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 50.8% expected score (2,794 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (51 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 49.8% expected score (2,960 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 48.6% expected score (2,322 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 48.1% expected score (331 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (8 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 45.0% expected score (819 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 44.7% expected score (73 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 30.0% expected score (1 games)

Related Openings

Parent
French Defense
45.7%
Variations (5)
French Defense: Knight Variation
48.3%
French Defense: Exchange Variation
47.7%
French Defense: Normal Variation
50.3%
French Defense: Advance Variation
48.0%
French Defense: Queen's Knight
48.5%
Analyze French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate?

The French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 45.9% (90% CI: 45.6%-46.1%) win rate for white, based on 113K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation perform best?

The French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 52.0% win rate for white (893 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (47.0%) outperforms Classical (43.9%) by 3.1%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation?

The French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a sharpness score of 95.8 (very decisive), meaning 95.8% of games end decisively. Average game length is 34 moves.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate at 0-999 Elo?

At 0-999 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 44.3% (90% CI: 42.2%-46.4%) win rate for white, based on 1.5K Lichess games. Average game length is 27 moves with a 3.3% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate at 1000-1199 Elo?

At 1000-1199 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 46.7% (90% CI: 45.2%-48.1%) win rate for white, based on 3.3K Lichess games. Average game length is 28 moves with a 2.8% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate at 1200-1399 Elo?

At 1200-1399 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 46.3% (90% CI: 45.4%-47.3%) win rate for white, based on 7.7K Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 3.1% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 46.1% (90% CI: 45.5%-46.8%) win rate for white, based on 17K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 3.1% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 45.3% (90% CI: 44.8%-45.8%) win rate for white, based on 26K Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 3.9% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 45.3% (90% CI: 44.9%-45.8%) win rate for white, based on 32K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.6% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 46.2% (90% CI: 45.6%-46.8%) win rate for white, based on 19K Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 5.2% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 48.0% (90% CI: 46.9%-49.1%) win rate for white, based on 5.6K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 5.7% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 52.0% (90% CI: 49.3%-54.8%) win rate for white, based on 893 Lichess games. Average game length is 40 moves with a 6.1% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 47.0% (90% CI: 46.5%-47.6%) win rate for white (25K Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.9%.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 45.8% (90% CI: 45.5%-46.1%) win rate for white (67K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.4%.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 44.7% (90% CI: 44.2%-45.3%) win rate for white (20K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.2%.

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation win rate in Classical?

In Classical games, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation has a 43.9% (90% CI: 41.2%-46.6%) win rate for white (886 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.1%.

Is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation a good opening?

The French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation is slightly favors black with a 45.9% (90% CI: 45.6%-46.1%) 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.