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French Defense: Classical Variation

264K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score48.9%Range (90% confident): 48.7% – 49.0%Based on 264K games
0%48.9%100%
Range (90% confident): 48.7% – 49.0%
Outcome Distribution
47.0%3.8%49.2%
Win
Draw
Loss
6.Bg5
French Defense: Classical Variation
Analyzen=264K
Avg Length33 moves
Sharpness96%
Draw Rate3.8%

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

Snapshot

At all ratings, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 48.9% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 48.7% and 49.0%), based on 264K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 9.3% · UltraBullet best · Classical worst

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 43% → 48%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 43.4% win rate (18,559 games)
  • 1000-1199: 46.1% win rate (15,482 games)
  • 1200-1399: 46.5% win rate (20,984 games)
  • 1400-1599: 46.6% win rate (32,972 games)
  • 1600-1799: 47.2% win rate (46,273 games)
  • 1800-1999: 47.2% win rate (60,665 games)
  • 2000-2199: 47.7% win rate (44,237 games)
  • 2200-2499: 49.1% win rate (21,342 games)
  • 2500+: 48.3% win rate (3,750 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in UltraBullet (50%), worst in Classical (41%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 50.0% win rate (859 games)
  • Bullet: 48.6% win rate (89,220 games)
  • Blitz: 46.6% win rate (126,823 games)
  • Rapid: 45.1% win rate (45,283 games)
  • Classical: 40.7% win rate (2,079 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, UltraBullet: 27.0% expected score (5 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 43.9% expected score (2,141 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 46.1% expected score (8,324 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 45.6% expected score (7,994 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Classical: 37.1% expected score (95 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 34.8% expected score (28 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 49.1% expected score (3,584 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 48.4% expected score (6,468 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 46.3% expected score (5,103 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 43.2% expected score (299 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 42.3% expected score (63 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 48.3% expected score (6,153 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 48.3% expected score (9,759 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 46.7% expected score (4,694 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 47.8% expected score (315 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 45.5% expected score (210 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 48.7% expected score (9,720 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 48.6% expected score (16,253 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 46.9% expected score (6,341 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 36.7% expected score (448 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 51.5% expected score (298 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 49.4% expected score (13,638 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 49.0% expected score (24,539 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 47.9% expected score (7,399 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 43.4% expected score (399 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 57.5% expected score (153 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 50.7% expected score (18,524 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 48.4% expected score (33,233 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 48.8% expected score (8,384 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 47.1% expected score (371 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 60.2% expected score (72 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 50.7% expected score (17,918 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 49.1% expected score (21,580 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 49.8% expected score (4,535 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 49.7% expected score (132 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 65.8% expected score (27 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 51.5% expected score (14,333 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 50.9% expected score (6,150 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 52.9% expected score (815 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 58.2% expected score (17 games)
  • 2500+ rating, UltraBullet: 50.0% expected score (3 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 51.5% expected score (3,209 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 54.4% expected score (517 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 55.2% expected score (18 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 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%
Continuations (10)
French Defense: Classical Variation, Alapin Variation
57.1%
French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation
50.0%
French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation, Main Line
54.8%
French Defense: Classical Variation, Burn Variation, Morozevich Line
48.6%
French Defense: Classical Variation, Delayed Exchange Variation
49.0%
French Defense: Classical Variation, Frankfurt Variation
46.1%
French Defense: Classical Variation, Normal Variation
45.9%
French Defense: Classical Variation, Pollock Variation
53.4%
French Defense: Classical Variation, Richter Attack
48.4%
French Defense: Classical Variation, Rubinstein Variation
52.9%
Analyze French Defense: Classical Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the French Defense: Classical Variation win rate?

The French Defense: Classical Variation has a 47.0% (90% CI: 46.8%-47.1%) win rate for white, based on 264K rated games from Lichess.

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

The French Defense: Classical Variation performs best at 2200-2499 Elo with a 49.1% win rate for white (21K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

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

Bullet (48.6%) outperforms Classical (40.7%) by 7.9%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the French Defense: Classical Variation?

The French Defense: Classical Variation has a sharpness score of 96.2 (very decisive), meaning 96.2% of games end decisively. Average game length is 33 moves.

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

At 0-999 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 43.4% (90% CI: 42.8%-44.0%) win rate for white, based on 19K Lichess games. Average game length is 28 moves with a 4.3% draw rate.

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

At 1000-1199 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 46.1% (90% CI: 45.4%-46.7%) win rate for white, based on 15K Lichess games. Average game length is 28 moves with a 3.3% draw rate.

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

At 1200-1399 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 46.5% (90% CI: 45.9%-47.1%) win rate for white, based on 21K Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 2.8% draw rate.

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

At 1400-1599 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 46.6% (90% CI: 46.2%-47.1%) win rate for white, based on 33K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 2.9% draw rate.

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

At 1600-1799 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 47.2% (90% CI: 46.8%-47.5%) win rate for white, based on 46K Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 3.5% draw rate.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 47.2% (90% CI: 46.9%-47.5%) win rate for white, based on 61K Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 4.0% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 47.7% (90% CI: 47.3%-48.1%) win rate for white, based on 44K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.2% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 49.1% (90% CI: 48.5%-49.6%) win rate for white, based on 21K Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 4.7% draw rate.

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

At 2500+ Elo, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 48.3% (90% CI: 47.0%-49.7%) win rate for white, based on 3.8K Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 7.1% draw rate.

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

In UltraBullet games, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 50.0% (90% CI: 47.2%-52.8%) win rate for white (859 Lichess games). Draw rate is 1.7%.

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

In Bullet games, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 48.6% (90% CI: 48.4%-48.9%) win rate for white (89K Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.7%.

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

In Blitz games, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 46.6% (90% CI: 46.3%-46.8%) win rate for white (127K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.2%.

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

In Rapid games, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 45.1% (90% CI: 44.7%-45.5%) win rate for white (45K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.7%.

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

In Classical games, the French Defense: Classical Variation has a 40.7% (90% CI: 38.9%-42.5%) win rate for white (2.1K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.4%.

Is the French Defense: Classical Variation a good opening?

The French Defense: Classical Variation is statistically balanced with a 47.0% (90% CI: 46.8%-47.1%) 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.