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French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation

32K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

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White Expected Score55.4%Range (90% confident): 54.9% – 55.8%Based on 32K games
0%55.4%100%
Range (90% confident): 54.9% – 55.8%
Outcome Distribution
53.4%3.9%42.7%
Win
Draw
Loss
7.Qg4
French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation
Analyzen=32K
Avg Length34 moves
Sharpness96%
Draw Rate3.9%

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 55.4% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 54.9% and 55.8%), based on 32K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 8.2% · Bullet best · Classical worst

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 43% → 54%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 42.9% win rate (23 games)
  • 1000-1199: 41.0% win rate (168 games)
  • 1200-1399: 51.2% win rate (509 games)
  • 1400-1599: 48.0% win rate (1,164 games)
  • 1600-1799: 51.9% win rate (3,499 games)
  • 1800-1999: 53.0% win rate (8,545 games)
  • 2000-2199: 53.6% win rate (10,920 games)
  • 2200-2499: 55.6% win rate (6,706 games)
  • 2500+: 53.6% win rate (805 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in UltraBullet (64%), worst in Classical (46%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 63.6% win rate (4 games)
  • Bullet: 54.3% win rate (10,344 games)
  • Blitz: 53.5% win rate (18,597 games)
  • Rapid: 50.3% win rate (3,234 games)
  • Classical: 46.1% win rate (160 games)

White% 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: 29.0% expected score (8 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (14 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 42.9% expected score (69 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 41.4% expected score (80 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 47.5% expected score (18 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 51.5% expected score (133 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 52.5% expected score (300 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 53.9% expected score (76 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 51.2% expected score (291 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 49.4% expected score (655 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 46.9% expected score (204 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 40.4% expected score (14 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 55.9% expected score (1,072 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 53.0% expected score (1,937 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 51.3% expected score (448 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 47.7% expected score (41 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 78.6% expected score (2 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 57.0% expected score (2,267 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 54.2% expected score (5,285 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 51.7% expected score (936 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (55 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 52.7% expected score (2,428 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 57.0% expected score (7,290 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 54.2% expected score (1,158 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 53.3% expected score (44 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 58.2% expected score (3,483 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 57.8% expected score (2,827 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 57.8% expected score (390 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 57.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 52.1% expected score (593 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 69.0% expected score (209 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 27.8% expected score (3 games)

Related Openings

Parent
French Defense
45.7%
Variations (5)
French Defense: Advance Variation
48.0%
French Defense: Advance Variation, Euwe Variation
46.1%
French Defense: Advance Variation, Extended Bishop Swap
48.6%
French Defense: Advance Variation, Frenkel Gambit
46.5%
French Defense: Advance Variation, Lputian Variation
48.8%
Analyze French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 53.4% (90% CI: 52.9%-53.8%) win rate for white, based on 32K rated games from Lichess.

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

The French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation performs best at 2200-2499 Elo with a 55.6% win rate for white (6.7K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

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

Bullet (54.3%) outperforms Classical (46.1%) by 8.2%. Choose your time control wisely.

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

The French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a sharpness score of 96.1 (very decisive), meaning 96.1% of games end decisively. Average game length is 34 moves.

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

At 1000-1199 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 41.0% (90% CI: 34.9%-47.3%) win rate for white, based on 168 Lichess games. Average game length is 28 moves with a 2.7% draw rate.

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

At 1200-1399 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 51.2% (90% CI: 47.6%-54.9%) win rate for white, based on 509 Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 2.4% draw rate.

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

At 1400-1599 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 48.0% (90% CI: 45.6%-50.4%) win rate for white, based on 1.2K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 2.5% draw rate.

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

At 1600-1799 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 51.9% (90% CI: 50.5%-53.3%) win rate for white, based on 3.5K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 3.4% draw rate.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 53.0% (90% CI: 52.1%-53.9%) win rate for white, based on 8.5K Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 3.2% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 53.6% (90% CI: 52.8%-54.4%) win rate for white, based on 11K Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 4.2% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 55.6% (90% CI: 54.6%-56.6%) win rate for white, based on 6.7K Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 4.8% draw rate.

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

At 2500+ Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 53.6% (90% CI: 50.7%-56.5%) win rate for white, based on 805 Lichess games. Average game length is 39 moves with a 5.4% draw rate.

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

In Bullet games, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 54.3% (90% CI: 53.4%-55.1%) win rate for white (10K Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.8%.

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

In Blitz games, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 53.5% (90% CI: 52.9%-54.1%) win rate for white (19K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.2%.

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

In Rapid games, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 50.3% (90% CI: 48.9%-51.8%) win rate for white (3.2K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.3%.

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

In Classical games, the French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation has a 46.1% (90% CI: 39.7%-52.6%) win rate for white (160 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.5%.

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

The French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation is statistically favors white with a 53.4% (90% CI: 52.9%-53.8%) 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.