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Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit

Black Gambit

Source Lichess

You play
Playablewins about as often as it loses at this level
All Ratings
Edge at worst−0.9%

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

how far wins run ahead of losses, 90% confident

Rating TrendPeak: +0.2% at 2200-2499
2000-21992200-2499
Win%50.2%
Games338
Breakpoint2000-2199first rating it isn't shown winning more than losing
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Does Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit work for Black at All Ratings?

Snapshot

At All Ratings, Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit keeps Black's wins running −0.9% ahead of its losses at worst, 90% confident, from 338 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
2000-2199−14.3%46.8%8.4%44.8%100
2200-2499+0.2%53.3%6.5%40.2%159
Full Opening StatsSee rating/time-control breakdowns for Black on the opening stats page
Analyze Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit sound?

At some ratings. Black comes out ahead at 2200-2499; at the other ratings we can see, the games do not show it paying.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit win rate?

Black wins 50.2% of Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit games, draws 7.5% and loses 42.3%. That rests on 338 games from Lichess.

What is the best rating to play the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit?

2200-2499. There Black wins at least 0.2 more of every 100 games than it loses (90% confident), its highest Edge at worst.

Does the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit breakpoint vary by time control?

Of Bullet, Blitz, Rapid and Classical, only Blitz has enough games to read by rating. The first rating where the games do not show Black coming out ahead is 2000-2199 in Blitz.

How sharp is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit?

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit is very sharp: 7.5% of its games are drawn, so 92.5% end with a winner.

Should I play the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit?

At 2200-2499, where Black comes out ahead. At the other ratings we can see, the games do not show it paying.

How do I defend against the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit?

As White, take the material, then develop fast, castle early, and trade pieces. Give the material back when doing so kills the attack. At 2200-2499, Black still comes out ahead in these games; at the other ratings we can see, the games do not show the gambit paying.

How reliable is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Gary Gambit data?

This rests on 338 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.