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Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation

1.9K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score53.7%Range (90% confident): 51.9% – 55.6%Based on 1.9K games
0%53.7%100%
Range (90% confident): 51.9% – 55.6%
Outcome Distribution
51.2%4.9%43.8%
Win
Draw
Loss
5.Nbd2
Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation
Analyzen=1.9K
Avg Length33 moves
Sharpness95%
Draw Rate4.9%

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

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 53.7% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 51.9% and 55.6%), based on 1.9K Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 55% → 52%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 54.6% win rate (102 games)
  • 1000-1199: 55.4% win rate (169 games)
  • 1200-1399: 51.3% win rate (333 games)
  • 1400-1599: 50.7% win rate (408 games)
  • 1600-1799: 49.2% win rate (284 games)
  • 1800-1999: 53.1% win rate (233 games)
  • 2000-2199: 46.5% win rate (189 games)
  • 2200-2499: 51.2% win rate (144 games)
  • 2500+: 51.8% win rate (40 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Classical (56%), worst in Bullet (51%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 50.9% win rate (795 games)
  • Blitz: 51.3% win rate (879 games)
  • Rapid: 51.5% win rate (209 games)
  • Classical: 56.1% win rate (19 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, Bullet: 59.9% expected score (29 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 59.3% expected score (47 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 55.5% expected score (26 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 54.6% expected score (53 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 54.0% expected score (86 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 73.8% expected score (28 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 46.1% expected score (137 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 57.6% expected score (137 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 61.3% expected score (52 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (7 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 55.6% expected score (179 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (183 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 41.0% expected score (43 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 61.2% expected score (3 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 48.4% expected score (124 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 53.2% expected score (124 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 53.2% expected score (30 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 63.4% expected score (6 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 53.1% expected score (111 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 58.4% expected score (100 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 43.3% expected score (21 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 52.1% expected score (71 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 52.7% expected score (111 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 67.7% expected score (7 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 61.1% expected score (62 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 52.5% expected score (80 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 35.7% expected score (2 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 61.5% expected score (29 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 34.0% expected score (11 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, Sokolsky Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 51.2% (90% CI: 49.4%-53.1%) win rate for white, based on 1.9K rated games from Lichess.

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

The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation performs best at 1000-1199 Elo with a 55.4% win rate for white (169 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

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

Blitz (51.3%) outperforms Rapid (51.5%) by -0.2%. Choose your time control wisely.

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

The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a sharpness score of 95.1 (very decisive), meaning 95.1% of games end decisively. Average game length is 33 moves.

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

At 0-999 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 54.6% (90% CI: 46.5%-62.6%) win rate for white, based on 102 Lichess games. Average game length is 28 moves with a 8.2% draw rate.

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

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 55.4% (90% CI: 49.1%-61.6%) win rate for white, based on 169 Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 4.4% draw rate.

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

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 51.3% (90% CI: 46.8%-55.8%) win rate for white, based on 333 Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 4.0% draw rate.

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

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 50.7% (90% CI: 46.6%-54.7%) win rate for white, based on 408 Lichess games. Average game length is 30 moves with a 1.8% draw rate.

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

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 49.2% (90% CI: 44.4%-54.1%) win rate for white, based on 284 Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 4.4% draw rate.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 53.1% (90% CI: 47.7%-58.4%) win rate for white, based on 233 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 3.2% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 46.5% (90% CI: 40.5%-52.4%) win rate for white, based on 189 Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 13.4% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 51.2% (90% CI: 44.4%-58.0%) win rate for white, based on 144 Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 9.3% draw rate.

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

In Bullet games, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 50.9% (90% CI: 48.0%-53.8%) win rate for white (795 Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.1%.

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

In Blitz games, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 51.3% (90% CI: 48.5%-54.0%) win rate for white (879 Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.2%.

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

In Rapid games, the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation has a 51.5% (90% CI: 45.9%-57.2%) win rate for white (209 Lichess games). Draw rate is 7.4%.

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

The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation is statistically balanced with a 51.2% (90% CI: 49.4%-53.1%) 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.