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Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation

2.8K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score52.2%Range (90% confident): 50.7% – 53.7%Based on 2.8K games
0%52.2%100%
Range (90% confident): 50.7% – 53.7%
Outcome Distribution
49.0%6.3%44.7%
Win
Draw
Loss
9.Qb3
Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation
Analyzen=2.8K
Avg Length37 moves
Sharpness94%
Draw Rate6.3%

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 52.2% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 50.7% and 53.7%), based on 2.8K Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 20% → 58%

0
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1200-1399: 68.4% win rate (8 games)
  • 1400-1599: 41.3% win rate (36 games)
  • 1600-1799: 49.5% win rate (137 games)
  • 1800-1999: 49.1% win rate (505 games)
  • 2000-2199: 49.3% win rate (1,011 games)
  • 2200-2499: 47.2% win rate (970 games)
  • 2500+: 57.8% win rate (150 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Bullet (51%), worst in Classical (45%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 51.2% win rate (544 games)
  • Blitz: 48.8% win rate (1,962 games)
  • Rapid: 46.5% win rate (288 games)
  • Classical: 45.1% win rate (24 games)

White% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter. 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

  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 68.2% expected score (4 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 68.2% expected score (4 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 38.0% expected score (11 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 47.3% expected score (17 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 44.2% expected score (7 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 54.2% expected score (34 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 51.1% expected score (90 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 73.8% expected score (9 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 31.9% expected score (4 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 57.1% expected score (76 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 50.6% expected score (364 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 49.2% expected score (59 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 76.7% expected score (6 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 54.6% expected score (174 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 52.0% expected score (719 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 49.1% expected score (111 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 61.8% expected score (7 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 47.1% expected score (169 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 52.1% expected score (697 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 52.5% expected score (98 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 43.4% expected score (6 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 60.3% expected score (76 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 59.7% expected score (71 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 72.3% expected score (3 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Grünfeld Defense
45.8%
Variations (5)
Grünfeld Defense: Botvinnik Variation
47.7%
Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack
49.6%
Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit
45.9%
Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit Accepted
51.6%
Grünfeld Defense: Brinckmann Attack, Grünfeld Gambit, Botvinnik Variation
45.0%
Analyze Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 49.0% (90% CI: 47.5%-50.5%) win rate for white, based on 2.8K rated games from Lichess.

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

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 57.8% win rate for white (150 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

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

Bullet (51.2%) outperforms Rapid (46.5%) by 4.7%. Choose your time control wisely.

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

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a sharpness score of 93.7 (decisive), meaning 93.7% of games end decisively. Average game length is 37 moves.

What is the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 49.5% (90% CI: 42.5%-56.4%) win rate for white, based on 137 Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 6.9% draw rate.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 49.1% (90% CI: 45.4%-52.7%) win rate for white, based on 505 Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 5.4% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 49.3% (90% CI: 46.8%-51.9%) win rate for white, based on 1.0K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 5.7% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 47.2% (90% CI: 44.6%-49.8%) win rate for white, based on 970 Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 8.0% draw rate.

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

At 2500+ Elo, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 57.8% (90% CI: 51.1%-64.3%) win rate for white, based on 150 Lichess games. Average game length is 39 moves with a 5.6% draw rate.

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

In Bullet games, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 51.2% (90% CI: 47.7%-54.8%) win rate for white (544 Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.9%.

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

In Blitz games, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 48.8% (90% CI: 46.9%-50.6%) win rate for white (2.0K Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.4%.

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

In Rapid games, the Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation has a 46.5% (90% CI: 41.7%-51.3%) win rate for white (288 Lichess games). Draw rate is 9.5%.

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

The Grünfeld Defense: Russian Variation, Smyslov Variation is statistically balanced with a 49.0% (90% CI: 47.5%-50.5%) 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.