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Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation

273K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

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White Expected Score54.6%Range (90% confident): 54.4% – 54.7%Based on 273K games
0%54.6%100%
Range (90% confident): 54.4% – 54.7%
Outcome Distribution
52.8%3.5%43.7%
Win
Draw
Loss
4.Bc4
Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation
Analyzen=273K
Avg Length31 moves
Sharpness97%
Draw Rate3.5%

What is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 54.6% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 54.4% and 54.7%), based on 273K 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

Improves with rating: 52% → 54%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 51.9% win rate (22,167 games)
  • 1000-1199: 54.2% win rate (33,851 games)
  • 1200-1399: 53.1% win rate (49,542 games)
  • 1400-1599: 53.1% win rate (60,479 games)
  • 1600-1799: 52.5% win rate (55,362 games)
  • 1800-1999: 52.2% win rate (33,953 games)
  • 2000-2199: 50.8% win rate (13,485 games)
  • 2200-2499: 50.2% win rate (3,851 games)
  • 2500+: 54.4% win rate (612 games)

White Win% by Time Control

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

UltraBullet
Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • UltraBullet: 47.7% win rate (857 games)
  • Bullet: 51.6% win rate (84,378 games)
  • Blitz: 53.0% win rate (137,549 games)
  • Rapid: 54.1% win rate (48,785 games)
  • Classical: 55.9% win rate (1,733 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: 17.5% expected score (20 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 53.5% expected score (4,538 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 54.5% expected score (11,967 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 52.6% expected score (5,612 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Classical: 37.3% expected score (30 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, UltraBullet: 55.2% expected score (75 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 53.7% expected score (8,243 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 56.0% expected score (17,733 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 57.7% expected score (7,642 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 52.2% expected score (158 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, UltraBullet: 47.6% expected score (165 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 52.3% expected score (13,367 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 55.0% expected score (25,709 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 57.0% expected score (9,928 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 55.1% expected score (373 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, UltraBullet: 50.5% expected score (225 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 53.6% expected score (16,601 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 55.1% expected score (32,282 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 56.0% expected score (10,762 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 57.0% expected score (609 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, UltraBullet: 44.2% expected score (238 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 52.8% expected score (16,927 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 54.5% expected score (28,636 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 56.3% expected score (9,125 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 67.1% expected score (436 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, UltraBullet: 54.4% expected score (101 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 52.6% expected score (12,984 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 54.9% expected score (16,020 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 56.7% expected score (4,736 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 57.5% expected score (112 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, UltraBullet: 58.8% expected score (27 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 52.2% expected score (8,169 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 53.7% expected score (4,365 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 56.8% expected score (910 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 46.8% expected score (14 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, UltraBullet: 76.7% expected score (6 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 53.3% expected score (2,964 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 53.5% expected score (812 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 40.0% expected score (68 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 58.1% expected score (585 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 57.6% expected score (25 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Philidor Defense
50.2%
Variations (5)
Philidor Defense: Albin-Blackburne Gambit
44.3%
Philidor Defense: Berger Variation
40.3%
Philidor Defense: Bird Gambit
53.3%
Philidor Defense: Boden Variation
49.4%
Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation
50.5%
Analyze Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation win rate?

The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 52.8% (90% CI: 52.6%-52.9%) win rate for white, based on 273K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation perform best?

The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation performs best at 1000-1199 Elo with a 54.2% win rate for white (34K games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Classical (55.9%) outperforms UltraBullet (47.7%) by 8.2%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation?

The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a sharpness score of 96.5 (very decisive), meaning 96.5% of games end decisively. Average game length is 31 moves.

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

At 0-999 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 51.9% (90% CI: 51.4%-52.5%) win rate for white, based on 22K Lichess games. Average game length is 26 moves with a 3.7% draw rate.

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

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 54.2% (90% CI: 53.8%-54.6%) win rate for white, based on 34K Lichess games. Average game length is 28 moves with a 3.1% draw rate.

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

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 53.1% (90% CI: 52.7%-53.4%) win rate for white, based on 50K Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 3.1% draw rate.

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

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 53.1% (90% CI: 52.8%-53.5%) win rate for white, based on 60K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 3.3% draw rate.

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

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 52.5% (90% CI: 52.1%-52.8%) win rate for white, based on 55K Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 3.6% draw rate.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 52.2% (90% CI: 51.8%-52.7%) win rate for white, based on 34K Lichess games. Average game length is 35 moves with a 4.1% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 50.8% (90% CI: 50.1%-51.5%) win rate for white, based on 13K Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 4.3% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 50.2% (90% CI: 48.9%-51.5%) win rate for white, based on 3.9K Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 5.9% draw rate.

What is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 54.4% (90% CI: 51.0%-57.7%) win rate for white, based on 612 Lichess games. Average game length is 40 moves with a 7.3% draw rate.

What is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation win rate in UltraBullet?

In UltraBullet games, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 47.7% (90% CI: 44.9%-50.5%) win rate for white (857 Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.0%.

What is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 51.6% (90% CI: 51.3%-51.9%) win rate for white (84K Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.6%.

What is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 53.0% (90% CI: 52.8%-53.2%) win rate for white (138K Lichess games). Draw rate is 3.9%.

What is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 54.1% (90% CI: 53.7%-54.5%) win rate for white (49K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.2%.

What is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation win rate in Classical?

In Classical games, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation has a 55.9% (90% CI: 53.9%-57.9%) win rate for white (1.7K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.8%.

Is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation a good opening?

The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation is statistically favors white with a 52.8% (90% CI: 52.6%-52.9%) 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.