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Analyzer

Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation

3.5K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Key Finding

Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation is balanced for Black at 48.7% expected score.

Results are roughly even — the middlegame decides more than this opening choice does.

You play
Tough Sell
Rating
Time
Black Expected Score48.7%Based on 3.5K gamesWin + ½×draw — predicts rating gain better than win rate
40%48.7%55%
Range (90% confident): 47.3% – 50.1%
Min adv-5.5%
ContextAll ratings · All speeds · n=3.5K
Outcome Distribution
7...Na6
Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation
Analyzen=3.5K
Avg Length37 moves
Sharpness93%
Draw Rate7.5%

Sharpness — share of games that end decisively

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

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a 48.7% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 47.3% and 50.1%), based on 3.5K Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 47% → 34%

1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1400-1599: 47.4% win rate (8 games)
  • 1600-1799: 56.2% win rate (51 games)
  • 1800-1999: 42.0% win rate (238 games)
  • 2000-2199: 49.5% win rate (1,066 games)
  • 2200-2499: 44.6% win rate (1,754 games)
  • 2500+: 34.2% win rate (409 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Blitz (45%), worst in Rapid (37%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 45.1% win rate (711 games)
  • Blitz: 45.4% win rate (2,632 games)
  • Rapid: 36.7% win rate (169 games)
  • Classical: 41.9% win rate (14 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

  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 68.2% expected score (4 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 35.7% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 64.3% expected score (2 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 68.4% expected score (23 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (25 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 43.3% expected score (58 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 45.2% expected score (154 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 36.1% expected score (20 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 63.4% expected score (6 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 52.5% expected score (178 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 52.0% expected score (834 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 50.9% expected score (53 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 51.0% expected score (258 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 48.7% expected score (1,410 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 41.5% expected score (81 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 42.3% expected score (5 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 38.8% expected score (190 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 43.3% expected score (207 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 34.0% expected score (11 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (1 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, Prins Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates at your level with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a 47.6% (90% CI: 46.2%-49.0%) win rate for white, based on 3.5K rated games from Lichess.

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

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 52.5% win rate for white (409 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

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

Bullet (48.8%) outperforms Rapid (49.6%) by -0.8%. Choose your time control wisely.

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

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a sharpness score of 92.5 (decisive), meaning 92.5% of games end decisively. Average game length is 37 moves.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a 53.2% (90% CI: 47.9%-58.5%) win rate for white, based on 238 Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.8% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a 45.6% (90% CI: 43.1%-48.1%) win rate for white, based on 1.1K Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 4.9% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a 47.3% (90% CI: 45.4%-49.3%) win rate for white, based on 1.8K Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 8.1% draw rate.

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

At 2500+ Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a 52.5% (90% CI: 48.4%-56.5%) win rate for white, based on 409 Lichess games. Average game length is 43 moves with a 13.3% draw rate.

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

In Bullet games, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a 48.8% (90% CI: 45.7%-51.9%) win rate for white (711 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.1%.

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

In Blitz games, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a 47.2% (90% CI: 45.6%-48.8%) win rate for white (2.6K Lichess games). Draw rate is 7.4%.

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

In Rapid games, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation has a 49.6% (90% CI: 43.3%-55.8%) win rate for white (169 Lichess games). Draw rate is 13.8%.

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

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Prins Variation is statistically balanced with a 47.6% (90% CI: 46.2%-49.0%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2500+ Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.