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French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation

2.4K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
White Expected Score47.9%Range (90% confident): 46.3% – 49.6%Based on 2.4K games
0%47.9%100%
Range (90% confident): 46.3% – 49.6%
Outcome Distribution
45.9%4.1%50.1%
Win
Draw
Loss
6.Bh4
French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation
Analyzen=2.4K
Avg Length35 moves
Sharpness96%
Draw Rate4.1%

What is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 47.9% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 46.3% and 49.6%), based on 2.4K Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 29% → 44%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 29.4% win rate (7 games)
  • 1000-1199: 49.3% win rate (34 games)
  • 1200-1399: 52.5% win rate (68 games)
  • 1400-1599: 51.1% win rate (117 games)
  • 1600-1799: 44.8% win rate (270 games)
  • 1800-1999: 44.1% win rate (610 games)
  • 2000-2199: 46.8% win rate (765 games)
  • 2200-2499: 45.3% win rate (454 games)
  • 2500+: 43.5% win rate (94 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Classical (57%), worst in Rapid (42%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 45.7% win rate (669 games)
  • Blitz: 46.5% win rate (1,469 games)
  • Rapid: 42.4% win rate (271 games)
  • Classical: 56.5% win rate (10 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, Blitz: 42.4% expected score (5 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 42.4% expected score (5 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 62.2% expected score (15 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 43.6% expected score (14 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 64.3% expected score (9 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 54.6% expected score (42 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 44.3% expected score (16 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (18 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 48.7% expected score (75 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 65.6% expected score (21 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 61.2% expected score (3 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 45.3% expected score (51 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 50.6% expected score (167 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 37.6% expected score (51 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 44.8% expected score (114 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 45.6% expected score (404 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 46.6% expected score (87 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 57.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 51.0% expected score (214 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 47.9% expected score (489 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 45.3% expected score (62 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 47.1% expected score (205 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 50.7% expected score (231 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 44.9% expected score (18 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 37.2% expected score (53 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 58.3% expected score (41 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: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation win rate?

The French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 45.9% (90% CI: 44.2%-47.5%) win rate for white, based on 2.4K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation perform best?

The French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation performs best at 2000-2199 Elo with a 46.8% win rate for white (765 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz (46.5%) outperforms Rapid (42.4%) by 4.1%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation?

The French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a sharpness score of 95.9 (very decisive), meaning 95.9% of games end decisively. Average game length is 35 moves.

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

At 1400-1599 Elo, the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 51.1% (90% CI: 43.5%-58.6%) win rate for white, based on 117 Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 3.0% draw rate.

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

At 1600-1799 Elo, the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 44.8% (90% CI: 39.8%-49.7%) win rate for white, based on 270 Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 4.2% draw rate.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 44.1% (90% CI: 40.8%-47.4%) win rate for white, based on 610 Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 3.2% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 46.8% (90% CI: 43.8%-49.7%) win rate for white, based on 765 Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 3.5% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 45.3% (90% CI: 41.5%-49.2%) win rate for white, based on 454 Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 6.9% draw rate.

What is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 45.7% (90% CI: 42.6%-48.9%) win rate for white (669 Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.1%.

What is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 46.5% (90% CI: 44.3%-48.6%) win rate for white (1.5K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.3%.

What is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation has a 42.4% (90% CI: 37.5%-47.3%) win rate for white (271 Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.7%.

Is the French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation a good opening?

The French Defense: McCutcheon Variation, Bernstein Variation is slightly favors black with a 45.9% (90% CI: 44.2%-47.5%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2000-2199 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.