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Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation

1.6K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Key Finding

Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation leaves Black at 47.5% — pick a better weapon.

The minimum advantage of -9.1% means this line underperforms at the selected level.

You play
Tough Sell
Rating
Time
Black Expected Score47.5%Based on 1.6K gamesWin + ½×draw — predicts rating gain better than win rate
40%47.5%55%
Range (90% confident): 45.5% – 49.6%
Min adv-9.1%
ContextAll ratings · All speeds · n=1.6K
Outcome Distribution
7...b6
Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation
Analyzen=1.6K
Avg Length35 moves
Sharpness95%
Draw Rate5.4%

Sharpness — share of games that end decisively

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a 47.5% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 45.5% and 49.6%), based on 1.6K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 8.7% · Bullet best · Rapid worst

Black Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 20% → 40%

1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1000-1199: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1200-1399: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1400-1599: 44.8% win rate (13 games)
  • 1600-1799: 46.5% win rate (77 games)
  • 1800-1999: 56.4% win rate (244 games)
  • 2000-2199: 46.4% win rate (627 games)
  • 2200-2499: 38.3% win rate (537 games)
  • 2500+: 39.9% win rate (100 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Blitz (46%), worst in Bullet (40%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 40.3% win rate (372 games)
  • Blitz: 46.2% win rate (1,033 games)
  • Rapid: 46.1% win rate (186 games)
  • Classical: 42.9% win rate (9 games)

Black% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter — click it again to clear. 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

  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 27.0% expected score (5 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 63.4% expected score (6 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (22 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (51 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 40.9% expected score (4 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 52.6% expected score (38 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 58.3% expected score (175 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 65.3% expected score (28 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 42.1% expected score (74 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 49.3% expected score (466 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 51.2% expected score (83 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 40.3% expected score (153 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 42.7% expected score (317 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 45.5% expected score (65 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 43.3% expected score (80 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (16 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 13.7% expected score (4 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Grünfeld Defense
45.8%
Variations (5)
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation
45.9%
Grünfeld Defense: Exchange Variation, Modern Exchange Variation
45.9%
Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation
47.7%
Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Petrosian System
49.2%
Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation
48.4%
Analyze Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates at your level with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation win rate?

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a 49.8% (90% CI: 47.7%-51.9%) win rate for white, based on 1.6K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation perform best?

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation performs best at 2200-2499 Elo with a 53.8% win rate for white (537 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (54.8%) outperforms Rapid (46.1%) by 8.7%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation?

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a sharpness score of 94.6 (decisive), meaning 94.6% of games end decisively. Average game length is 35 moves.

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a 40.5% (90% CI: 35.4%-45.7%) win rate for white, based on 244 Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 3.1% draw rate.

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a 49.1% (90% CI: 45.8%-52.4%) win rate for white, based on 627 Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.5% draw rate.

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a 53.8% (90% CI: 50.2%-57.3%) win rate for white, based on 537 Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 7.9% draw rate.

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a 54.7% (90% CI: 46.5%-62.7%) win rate for white, based on 100 Lichess games. Average game length is 41 moves with a 5.4% draw rate.

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a 54.8% (90% CI: 50.5%-59.0%) win rate for white (372 Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.0%.

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a 48.6% (90% CI: 46.0%-51.1%) win rate for white (1.0K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.3%.

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation has a 46.1% (90% CI: 40.2%-52.1%) win rate for white (186 Lichess games). Draw rate is 7.7%.

Is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation a good opening?

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Levenfish Variation is statistically balanced with a 49.8% (90% CI: 47.7%-51.9%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2200-2499 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.