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Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit

Black Gambit

Source Lichess

You play
Tough Sellloses more often than it wins at this level
All Ratings
Edge at worst−23.2%

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

how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident

Rating TrendPeak: −23.7% at 2200-2499
1600-17992200-2499
Win%38.6%
Games515
Breakpoint1600-1799first rating it isn't shown winning more than losing
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Does Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit work for Black at All Ratings?

Snapshot

At All Ratings, Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit keeps Black's wins running −23.2% ahead of its losses at worst, 90% confident, from 515 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
1600-1799−43.7%36.1%4.2%59.7%58
1800-1999−30.4%39.8%4.4%55.8%123
2000-2199−32.1%37.3%6.3%56.4%150
2200-2499−23.7%39.8%10.4%49.8%138
Full Opening StatsSee rating/time-control breakdowns for Black on the opening stats page
Analyze Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit sound?

Not shown to be. Black does not come out ahead at any rating we can see: its best Edge at worst, at 2200-2499, is −23.7%.

What is the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit win rate?

Black wins 38.6% of Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit games, draws 6.7% and loses 54.7%. That rests on 515 games from Lichess.

What is the best rating to play the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit?

No rating in these games shows it paying. Black's Edge at worst is highest at 2200-2499: −23.7%, how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident.

Does the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit breakpoint vary by time control?

Yes. The first rating where the games do not show Black coming out ahead is 1800-1999 in Blitz. In Bullet, only 2200-2499 has enough games, and there the games do not show Black coming out ahead.

How sharp is the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit?

The Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit is very sharp: 6.7% of its games are drawn, so 93.3% end with a winner.

Should I play the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit?

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

How do I defend against the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese 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 Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Marshall Variation, Chinese Gambit data?

This rests on 515 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.