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Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation

4.9M games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score51.8%Range (90% confident): 51.8% – 51.9%Based on 4.9M games
0%51.8%100%
Range (90% confident): 51.8% – 51.9%
Outcome Distribution
50.3%3.0%46.7%
Win
Draw
Loss
3.d5
Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation
Analyzen=4.9M
Avg Length33 moves
Sharpness97%
Draw Rate3.0%

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 51.8% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 51.8% and 51.9%), based on 4.9M Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 8.2% · Classical best · UltraBullet worst

White Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 55% → 49%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 54.8% win rate (334,276 games)
  • 1000-1199: 55.5% win rate (568,190 games)
  • 1200-1399: 53.4% win rate (721,841 games)
  • 1400-1599: 51.5% win rate (818,272 games)
  • 1600-1799: 48.9% win rate (844,141 games)
  • 1800-1999: 46.3% win rate (805,523 games)
  • 2000-2199: 45.3% win rate (540,974 games)
  • 2200-2499: 47.5% win rate (205,397 games)
  • 2500+: 49.2% win rate (22,103 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Classical (56%), worst in UltraBullet (48%)

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 48.0% win rate (7,461 games)
  • Bullet: 49.2% win rate (1,996,954 games)
  • Blitz: 50.1% win rate (2,201,977 games)
  • Rapid: 54.0% win rate (630,684 games)
  • Classical: 56.2% win rate (23,641 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, UltraBullet: 40.9% expected score (426 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 51.4% expected score (86,481 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 58.2% expected score (180,393 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 58.1% expected score (66,570 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Classical: 57.1% expected score (406 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 47.9% expected score (900 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 52.1% expected score (171,997 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 58.4% expected score (267,023 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 60.6% expected score (126,136 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 61.2% expected score (2,134 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 47.5% expected score (1,649 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 51.1% expected score (267,861 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 55.9% expected score (314,150 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 59.6% expected score (131,969 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 60.1% expected score (6,212 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 49.0% expected score (1,890 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 51.0% expected score (345,600 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 53.3% expected score (354,817 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 56.8% expected score (108,608 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 61.6% expected score (7,357 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 50.6% expected score (1,495 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 50.2% expected score (366,400 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 49.9% expected score (385,231 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 52.3% expected score (86,564 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 55.9% expected score (4,451 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 47.4% expected score (645 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 49.4% expected score (337,303 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 46.7% expected score (397,345 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 47.7% expected score (67,991 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 47.9% expected score (2,239 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 55.0% expected score (291 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 48.8% expected score (250,827 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 45.6% expected score (251,696 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 46.1% expected score (37,395 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 48.8% expected score (765 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 49.7% expected score (148 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 49.4% expected score (149,665 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 49.8% expected score (50,162 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 51.7% expected score (5,347 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 46.8% expected score (75 games)
  • 2500+ rating, UltraBullet: 63.6% expected score (17 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 52.0% expected score (20,820 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 51.2% expected score (1,160 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 56.7% expected score (104 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (2 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Nimzowitsch Defense
50.3%
Variations (5)
Nimzowitsch Defense: Breyer Variation
51.7%
Nimzowitsch Defense: Colorado Countergambit
45.9%
Nimzowitsch Defense: Colorado Countergambit Accepted
47.4%
Nimzowitsch Defense: Declined Variation
49.6%
Nimzowitsch Defense: El Columpio Defense
51.4%
Analyze Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate?

The Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 50.3% (90% CI: 50.3%-50.3%) win rate for white, based on 4.9M rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation perform best?

The Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation performs best at 1000-1199 Elo with a 55.5% win rate for white (568K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Classical (56.2%) outperforms UltraBullet (48.0%) by 8.2%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation?

The Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a sharpness score of 97.0 (very decisive), meaning 97.0% of games end decisively. Average game length is 33 moves.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate at 0-999 Elo?

At 0-999 Elo, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 54.8% (90% CI: 54.7%-55.0%) win rate for white, based on 334K Lichess games. Average game length is 27 moves with a 3.1% draw rate.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate at 1000-1199 Elo?

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 55.5% (90% CI: 55.4%-55.6%) win rate for white, based on 568K Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 2.9% draw rate.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate at 1200-1399 Elo?

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 53.4% (90% CI: 53.3%-53.5%) win rate for white, based on 722K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 2.7% draw rate.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 51.5% (90% CI: 51.4%-51.6%) win rate for white, based on 818K Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 2.7% draw rate.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 48.9% (90% CI: 48.8%-49.0%) win rate for white, based on 844K Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 2.8% draw rate.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 46.3% (90% CI: 46.2%-46.4%) win rate for white, based on 806K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 3.2% draw rate.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 45.3% (90% CI: 45.2%-45.4%) win rate for white, based on 541K Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 3.7% draw rate.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 47.5% (90% CI: 47.4%-47.7%) win rate for white, based on 205K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 4.0% draw rate.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 49.2% (90% CI: 48.6%-49.7%) win rate for white, based on 22K Lichess games. Average game length is 40 moves with a 5.6% draw rate.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate in UltraBullet?

In UltraBullet games, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 48.0% (90% CI: 47.0%-48.9%) win rate for white (7.5K Lichess games). Draw rate is 1.1%.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 49.2% (90% CI: 49.2%-49.3%) win rate for white (2.0M Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.1%.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 50.1% (90% CI: 50.1%-50.2%) win rate for white (2.2M Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.6%.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 54.0% (90% CI: 53.9%-54.1%) win rate for white (631K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.0%.

What is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation win rate in Classical?

In Classical games, the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation has a 56.2% (90% CI: 55.7%-56.8%) win rate for white (24K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.0%.

Is the Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation a good opening?

The Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation, Linksspringer Variation is statistically balanced with a 50.3% (90% CI: 50.3%-50.3%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 1000-1199 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.