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Analyzer

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation

245 games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
Black Expected Score39.9%Range (90% confident): 34.9% – 44.9%Based on 245 games
0%39.9%100%
Range (90% confident): 34.9% – 44.9%
Outcome Distribution
29.8%20.1%50.1%
Win
Draw
Loss
8...Nf5
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation
Analyzen=245
Avg Length61 moves
Sharpness80%
Draw Rate20.1%

What is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation has a 39.9% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 34.9% and 44.9%), based on 245 Lichess games.

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 43% → 11%

1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1200-1399: 42.9% win rate (2 games)
  • 1400-1599: 35.5% win rate (14 games)
  • 1600-1799: 28.0% win rate (11 games)
  • 1800-1999: 44.2% win rate (20 games)
  • 2000-2199: 57.9% win rate (27 games)
  • 2200-2499: 40.4% win rate (69 games)
  • 2500+: 11.1% win rate (102 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Blitz (38%), worst in Classical (8%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 20.7% win rate (59 games)
  • Blitz: 38.2% win rate (128 games)
  • Rapid: 22.9% win rate (53 games)
  • Classical: 7.7% win rate (5 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

  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (8 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 34.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 29.0% expected score (8 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (3 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 53.7% expected score (12 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 57.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 66.3% expected score (17 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 57.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 41.9% expected score (17 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 56.8% expected score (43 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 31.0% expected score (9 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 27.4% expected score (36 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 19.2% expected score (39 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 38.7% expected score (25 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 35.7% expected score (2 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Ruy Lopez
51.9%
Variations (5)
Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense
51.2%
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense
49.9%
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation
48.7%
Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation
49.9%
Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense
49.9%
Analyze Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation win rate?

The Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation has a 50.1% (90% CI: 44.9%-55.3%) win rate for white, based on 245 rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation perform best?

The Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 58.5% win rate for white (102 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (57.0%) outperforms Rapid (39.4%) by 17.6%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation?

The Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation has a sharpness score of 79.9 (drawish), meaning 79.9% of games end decisively. Average game length is 61 moves.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation has a 58.5% (90% CI: 50.4%-66.3%) win rate for white, based on 102 Lichess games. Average game length is 71 moves with a 30.4% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation has a 51.4% (90% CI: 44.1%-58.5%) win rate for white (128 Lichess games). Draw rate is 10.4%.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation a good opening?

The Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation is statistically favors white with a 50.1% (90% CI: 44.9%-55.3%) 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.