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French Defense: Pelikan Variation

355K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score51.4%Range (90% confident): 51.2% – 51.5%Based on 355K games
0%51.4%100%
Range (90% confident): 51.2% – 51.5%
Outcome Distribution
49.7%3.3%47.0%
Win
Draw
Loss
3.f4
French Defense: Pelikan Variation
Analyzen=355K
Avg Length34 moves
Sharpness97%
Draw Rate3.3%

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

Snapshot

At all ratings, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 51.4% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 51.2% and 51.5%), based on 355K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 8.9% · UltraBullet best · Classical worst

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 44% → 50%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 43.9% win rate (7,158 games)
  • 1000-1199: 47.4% win rate (12,551 games)
  • 1200-1399: 49.0% win rate (21,527 games)
  • 1400-1599: 49.2% win rate (37,688 games)
  • 1600-1799: 49.8% win rate (60,351 games)
  • 1800-1999: 50.5% win rate (98,624 games)
  • 2000-2199: 49.8% win rate (74,554 games)
  • 2200-2499: 49.8% win rate (37,188 games)
  • 2500+: 50.4% win rate (5,426 games)

White Win% by Time Control

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

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 50.3% win rate (2,062 games)
  • Bullet: 50.3% win rate (181,434 games)
  • Blitz: 49.3% win rate (142,651 games)
  • Rapid: 47.7% win rate (28,208 games)
  • Classical: 41.4% win rate (712 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: 24.6% expected score (26 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 45.8% expected score (1,677 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 45.7% expected score (3,766 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 45.3% expected score (1,681 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Classical: 18.5% expected score (8 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 46.3% expected score (52 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 49.1% expected score (4,196 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 48.4% expected score (5,910 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 49.1% expected score (2,344 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 40.1% expected score (49 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 48.0% expected score (173 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 52.3% expected score (8,086 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 49.4% expected score (9,869 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 48.9% expected score (3,305 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 28.5% expected score (94 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 52.5% expected score (451 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 51.5% expected score (16,567 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (16,234 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 48.1% expected score (4,264 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 44.0% expected score (172 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 50.2% expected score (910 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 51.9% expected score (25,622 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 51.1% expected score (28,248 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 49.5% expected score (5,385 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 47.6% expected score (186 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 54.6% expected score (372 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 52.0% expected score (44,539 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 52.5% expected score (46,468 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 51.4% expected score (7,086 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 49.1% expected score (159 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 51.0% expected score (48 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 51.6% expected score (45,255 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 51.8% expected score (25,773 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 52.1% expected score (3,440 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 45.0% expected score (38 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 46.8% expected score (30 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 51.7% expected score (30,291 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 52.8% expected score (6,170 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 54.3% expected score (693 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 53.6% expected score (5,201 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 56.3% expected score (213 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 67.4% expected score (10 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 78.6% expected score (2 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: Pelikan Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the French Defense: Pelikan Variation win rate?

The French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 49.7% (90% CI: 49.5%-49.8%) win rate for white, based on 355K rated games from Lichess.

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

The French Defense: Pelikan Variation performs best at 1800-1999 Elo with a 50.5% win rate for white (99K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

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

Bullet (50.3%) outperforms Classical (41.4%) by 8.9%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the French Defense: Pelikan Variation?

The French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a sharpness score of 96.7 (very decisive), meaning 96.7% of games end decisively. Average game length is 34 moves.

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

At 0-999 Elo, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 43.9% (90% CI: 42.9%-44.8%) win rate for white, based on 7.2K Lichess games. Average game length is 27 moves with a 3.3% draw rate.

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

At 1000-1199 Elo, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 47.4% (90% CI: 46.7%-48.1%) win rate for white, based on 13K Lichess games. Average game length is 28 moves with a 2.5% draw rate.

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

At 1200-1399 Elo, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 49.0% (90% CI: 48.5%-49.6%) win rate for white, based on 22K Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 2.4% draw rate.

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

At 1400-1599 Elo, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 49.2% (90% CI: 48.8%-49.6%) win rate for white, based on 38K Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 2.5% draw rate.

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

At 1600-1799 Elo, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 49.8% (90% CI: 49.5%-50.1%) win rate for white, based on 60K Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 2.9% draw rate.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 50.5% (90% CI: 50.2%-50.8%) win rate for white, based on 99K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 3.3% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 49.8% (90% CI: 49.5%-50.1%) win rate for white, based on 75K Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 3.8% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 49.8% (90% CI: 49.4%-50.2%) win rate for white, based on 37K Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 4.2% draw rate.

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

At 2500+ Elo, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 50.4% (90% CI: 49.3%-51.6%) win rate for white, based on 5.4K Lichess games. Average game length is 41 moves with a 6.5% draw rate.

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

In UltraBullet games, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 50.3% (90% CI: 48.5%-52.1%) win rate for white (2.1K Lichess games). Draw rate is 1.0%.

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

In Bullet games, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 50.3% (90% CI: 50.1%-50.5%) win rate for white (181K Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.7%.

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

In Blitz games, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 49.3% (90% CI: 49.1%-49.5%) win rate for white (143K Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.9%.

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

In Rapid games, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 47.7% (90% CI: 47.2%-48.2%) win rate for white (28K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.2%.

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

In Classical games, the French Defense: Pelikan Variation has a 41.4% (90% CI: 38.4%-44.5%) win rate for white (712 Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.3%.

Is the French Defense: Pelikan Variation a good opening?

The French Defense: Pelikan Variation is statistically balanced with a 49.7% (90% CI: 49.5%-49.8%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 1800-1999 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.