Skip to content
TrueEloPlay what wins.
Score a position

French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit

Black Gambit

Source Lichess

You play
Tough Sellloses more often than it wins at this level
All Ratings
Edge at worst−9.9%

Black isn't shown winning more often than losing at this level

how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident

Rating TrendPeak: −1.7% at 1600-1799
1600-17992200-2499
Win%45.9%
Games620
Breakpoint1600-1799first rating it isn't shown winning more than losing
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
4...Nf6
Rating
Rating
Time Control
Time

Does French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit work for Black at All Ratings?

Snapshot

At All Ratings, French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit keeps Black's wins running −9.9% ahead of its losses at worst, 90% confident, from 620 Lichess games. The games don't show this gambit paying at this level. Win rate, draw rate and loss rate come from games played December 2023 to November 2025.

RatingEdge at worstBlack WinDrawBlack LossGames
1600-1799−1.7%55.3%5.0%39.7%88
1800-1999−12.5%46.6%6.7%46.6%169
2000-2199−22.2%42.7%5.5%51.8%152
2200-2499−29.9%41.5%2.2%56.3%113
Full Opening StatsSee rating/time-control breakdowns for Black on the opening stats page
Analyze French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit sound?

Not shown to be. Black does not come out ahead at any rating we can see: its best Edge at worst, at 1600-1799, is −1.7%.

What is the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit win rate?

Black wins 45.9% of French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit games, draws 4.7% and loses 49.3%. That rests on 620 games from Lichess.

What is the best rating to play the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit?

No rating in these games shows it paying. Black's Edge at worst is highest at 1600-1799: −1.7%, how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident.

Is the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz. For Black, the Edge at worst — how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident — is +5.1% in Blitz (253 games) and −36.2% in Rapid (68 games).

Does the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit breakpoint vary by time control?

Yes. The first rating where the games do not show Black coming out ahead is 1800-1999 in Bullet and 1600-1799 in Blitz.

How sharp is the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit?

The French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit is extremely sharp: 4.7% of its games are drawn, so 95.3% end with a winner.

Should I play the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit?

Not for the results: Black does not come out ahead at any rating we can see.

How do I defend against the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit?

As White, take the material, then develop fast, castle early, and trade pieces. Give the material back when doing so kills the attack. Black does not come out ahead with it at any rating we can see.

How reliable is the French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Shaposhnikov Gambit data?

This rests on 620 games from Lichess. Every figure carries the range it is in, 90% confident, and the table above shows how many games sit behind each rating and each clock — the fewer there are, the wider that range.