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Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation

9.4M games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
Black Expected Score47.9%Range (90% confident): 47.9% – 47.9%Based on 9.4M games
0%47.9%100%
Range (90% confident): 47.9% – 47.9%
Outcome Distribution
46.0%3.8%50.2%
Win
Draw
Loss
2.b3
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation
Analyzen=9.4M
Avg Length35 moves
Sharpness96%
Draw Rate3.8%

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 47.9% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 47.9% and 47.9%), based on 9.4M Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 49% → 41%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 48.5% win rate (202,903 games)
  • 1000-1199: 47.1% win rate (402,410 games)
  • 1200-1399: 46.9% win rate (833,469 games)
  • 1400-1599: 46.8% win rate (1,414,921 games)
  • 1600-1799: 46.6% win rate (1,917,244 games)
  • 1800-1999: 46.0% win rate (1,955,308 games)
  • 2000-2199: 45.3% win rate (1,456,124 games)
  • 2200-2499: 44.1% win rate (929,430 games)
  • 2500+: 41.2% win rate (265,929 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Similar across time controls (~46%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 45.3% win rate (77,140 games)
  • Bullet: 46.1% win rate (5,302,753 games)
  • Blitz: 45.9% win rate (3,358,348 games)
  • Rapid: 45.7% win rate (616,898 games)
  • Classical: 45.0% win rate (22,599 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, UltraBullet: 53.4% expected score (534 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (71,981 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 50.2% expected score (101,847 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 50.4% expected score (28,337 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Classical: 51.0% expected score (204 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 48.7% expected score (1,817 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 48.0% expected score (161,612 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 48.8% expected score (188,695 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 49.4% expected score (49,481 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 52.9% expected score (805 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 48.1% expected score (5,587 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 48.1% expected score (382,385 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 48.6% expected score (361,776 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 48.4% expected score (81,468 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 48.3% expected score (2,253 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 47.5% expected score (13,374 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 47.9% expected score (658,526 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 48.6% expected score (611,674 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 48.6% expected score (125,533 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 49.0% expected score (5,814 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 46.3% expected score (23,486 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 48.1% expected score (968,898 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 48.6% expected score (774,630 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 48.5% expected score (144,049 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 49.3% expected score (6,181 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 45.9% expected score (18,931 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 48.0% expected score (1,122,328 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 47.9% expected score (693,569 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 48.1% expected score (115,520 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 48.3% expected score (4,960 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 45.4% expected score (9,825 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 47.7% expected score (971,528 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 47.4% expected score (418,251 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 46.4% expected score (54,687 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 44.0% expected score (1,833 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 44.0% expected score (3,432 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 46.8% expected score (726,988 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 46.6% expected score (181,678 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 44.1% expected score (16,872 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 44.6% expected score (460 games)
  • 2500+ rating, UltraBullet: 34.3% expected score (154 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 45.3% expected score (238,507 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 43.6% expected score (26,228 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 42.9% expected score (951 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (89 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Nimzo-Larsen Attack
51.1%
Variations (5)
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Modern Variation
49.9%
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Indian Variation
49.2%
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: English Variation
50.2%
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Symmetrical Variation
49.8%
Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Dutch Variation
50.6%
Analyze Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate?

The Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 50.2% (90% CI: 50.2%-50.2%) win rate for white, based on 9.4M rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation perform best?

The Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 51.0% win rate for white (266K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation better in blitz or rapid?

UltraBullet (52.6%) outperforms Classical (48.0%) by 4.6%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation?

The Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a sharpness score of 96.2 (very decisive), meaning 96.2% of games end decisively. Average game length is 35 moves.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate at 0-999 Elo?

At 0-999 Elo, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 48.2% (90% CI: 48.0%-48.4%) win rate for white, based on 203K Lichess games. Average game length is 27 moves with a 3.2% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate at 1000-1199 Elo?

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 50.1% (90% CI: 49.9%-50.2%) win rate for white, based on 402K Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 2.9% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate at 1200-1399 Elo?

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 50.3% (90% CI: 50.2%-50.4%) win rate for white, based on 833K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 2.8% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 50.2% (90% CI: 50.1%-50.3%) win rate for white, based on 1.4M Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 3.0% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 50.0% (90% CI: 49.9%-50.1%) win rate for white, based on 1.9M Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 3.5% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 50.1% (90% CI: 50.1%-50.2%) win rate for white, based on 2.0M Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 3.9% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 50.2% (90% CI: 50.2%-50.3%) win rate for white, based on 1.5M Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 4.4% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 50.8% (90% CI: 50.7%-50.9%) win rate for white, based on 929K Lichess games. Average game length is 39 moves with a 5.1% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 51.0% (90% CI: 50.9%-51.2%) win rate for white, based on 266K Lichess games. Average game length is 43 moves with a 7.8% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate in UltraBullet?

In UltraBullet games, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 52.6% (90% CI: 52.3%-52.9%) win rate for white (77K Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.1%.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 50.7% (90% CI: 50.7%-50.8%) win rate for white (5.3M Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.2%.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 49.5% (90% CI: 49.4%-49.5%) win rate for white (3.4M Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.7%.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 49.2% (90% CI: 49.1%-49.3%) win rate for white (617K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.1%.

What is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation win rate in Classical?

In Classical games, the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation has a 48.0% (90% CI: 47.4%-48.5%) win rate for white (23K Lichess games). Draw rate is 7.0%.

Is the Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation a good opening?

The Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation is statistically favors white with a 50.2% (90% CI: 50.2%-50.2%) 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.