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Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense

2.3K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
Black Expected Score47.5%Range (90% confident): 45.8% – 49.2%Based on 2.3K games
0%47.5%100%
Range (90% confident): 45.8% – 49.2%
Outcome Distribution
45.1%4.7%50.2%
Win
Draw
Loss
6...d6
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense
Analyzen=2.3K
Avg Length35 moves
Sharpness95%
Draw Rate4.7%

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 47.5% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 45.8% and 49.2%), based on 2.3K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 14.6% · Bullet best · Rapid worst

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 60% → 37%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 60.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1000-1199: 14.3% win rate (2 games)
  • 1200-1399: 62.7% win rate (36 games)
  • 1400-1599: 49.8% win rate (130 games)
  • 1600-1799: 46.4% win rate (310 games)
  • 1800-1999: 48.7% win rate (517 games)
  • 2000-2199: 43.5% win rate (471 games)
  • 2200-2499: 42.6% win rate (743 games)
  • 2500+: 37.3% win rate (126 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Rapid (55%), worst in Bullet (44%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 43.9% win rate (453 games)
  • Blitz: 44.0% win rate (1,654 games)
  • Rapid: 55.3% win rate (209 games)
  • Classical: 53.5% win rate (20 games)

Black% 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, Bullet: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 39.7% expected score (13 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 76.7% expected score (21 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 78.6% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 41.2% expected score (55 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 52.6% expected score (57 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 81.4% expected score (16 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 38.5% expected score (68 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 48.3% expected score (197 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 68.1% expected score (40 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 73.1% expected score (5 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 51.8% expected score (86 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 49.9% expected score (348 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 53.5% expected score (71 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 53.7% expected score (12 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 42.2% expected score (50 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 45.0% expected score (369 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 51.9% expected score (51 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (127 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 44.4% expected score (588 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 48.3% expected score (28 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 39.7% expected score (52 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 41.3% expected score (73 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (1 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Nimzo-Indian Defense
48.4%
Variations (5)
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Three Knights Variation
50.0%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation
48.8%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation
50.5%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation
49.5%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Kmoch Variation
51.8%
Analyze Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 50.2% (90% CI: 48.5%-51.9%) win rate for white, based on 2.3K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense perform best?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense performs best at 2000-2199 Elo with a 52.8% win rate for white (471 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (53.8%) outperforms Rapid (39.2%) by 14.6%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a sharpness score of 95.3 (very decisive), meaning 95.3% of games end decisively. Average game length is 35 moves.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 46.8% (90% CI: 39.7%-53.9%) win rate for white, based on 130 Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 3.4% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 48.0% (90% CI: 43.4%-52.7%) win rate for white, based on 310 Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 5.6% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 47.2% (90% CI: 43.6%-50.8%) win rate for white, based on 517 Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.1% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 52.8% (90% CI: 49.0%-56.6%) win rate for white, based on 471 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 3.7% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 51.6% (90% CI: 48.6%-54.7%) win rate for white, based on 743 Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 5.7% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 56.1% (90% CI: 48.8%-63.2%) win rate for white, based on 126 Lichess games. Average game length is 41 moves with a 6.7% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 53.8% (90% CI: 49.9%-57.6%) win rate for white (453 Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.3%.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 50.6% (90% CI: 48.6%-52.7%) win rate for white (1.7K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.3%.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense has a 39.2% (90% CI: 33.7%-44.8%) win rate for white (209 Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.5%.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense a good opening?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Leningrad Variation, Benoni Defense is statistically balanced with a 50.2% (90% CI: 48.5%-51.9%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2000-2199 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.