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Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation

133 games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
White Expected Score36.6%Range (90% confident): 30.0% – 43.6%Based on 133 games
0%36.6%100%
Range (90% confident): 30.0% – 43.6%
Outcome Distribution
33.8%5.6%60.6%
Win
Draw
Loss
7.Nc3
Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation
Analyzen=133
Avg Length32 moves
Sharpness94%
Draw Rate5.6%

What is the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation has a 36.6% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 30.0% and 43.6%), based on 133 Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 20% → 23%

1000
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1000-1199: 20.0% win rate (1 games)
  • 1600-1799: 15.8% win rate (8 games)
  • 1800-1999: 33.3% win rate (33 games)
  • 2000-2199: 33.3% win rate (54 games)
  • 2200-2499: 43.3% win rate (32 games)
  • 2500+: 23.1% win rate (5 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Blitz (38%), worst in Rapid (24%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid

  • Bullet: 24.6% win rate (29 games)
  • Blitz: 37.8% win rate (95 games)
  • Rapid: 23.8% win rate (9 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

  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 20.6% expected score (7 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 41.3% expected score (10 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 35.1% expected score (22 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 36.9% expected score (48 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 43.4% expected score (6 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 26.2% expected score (9 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 56.7% expected score (21 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 21.5% 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: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation win rate?

The Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation has a 33.8% (90% CI: 27.3%-40.7%) win rate for white, based on 133 rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation perform best?

The Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation performs best at 2000-2199 Elo with a 33.3% win rate for white (54 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

How sharp is the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation?

The Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation has a sharpness score of 94.4 (decisive), meaning 94.4% of games end decisively. Average game length is 32 moves.

Is the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation a good opening?

The Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation is slightly favors black with a 33.8% (90% CI: 27.3%-40.7%) 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.