TrueEloPlay what wins.
Analyzer

Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation

120 games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score56.2%Range (90% confident): 48.8% – 63.5%Based on 120 games
0%56.2%100%
Range (90% confident): 48.8% – 63.5%
Outcome Distribution
53.9%4.5%41.6%
Win
Draw
Loss
5.b4
Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation
Analyzen=120
Avg Length32 moves
Sharpness96%
Draw Rate4.5%

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation has a 56.2% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 48.8% and 63.5%), based on 120 Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 39% → 54%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 38.5% win rate (5 games)
  • 1000-1199: 33.3% win rate (3 games)
  • 1200-1399: 56.5% win rate (10 games)
  • 1400-1599: 57.9% win rate (8 games)
  • 1600-1799: 86.7% win rate (6 games)
  • 1800-1999: 33.3% win rate (3 games)
  • 2000-2199: 49.1% win rate (26 games)
  • 2200-2499: 50.6% win rate (39 games)
  • 2500+: 53.5% win rate (20 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Rapid (60%), worst in Classical (20%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 59.0% win rate (18 games)
  • Blitz: 51.4% win rate (85 games)
  • Rapid: 60.0% win rate (16 games)
  • Classical: 20.0% win rate (1 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: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 31.9% expected score (4 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 63.4% expected score (6 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 61.2% expected score (3 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 61.2% expected score (3 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 86.4% expected score (4 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 78.6% expected score (2 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 52.3% expected score (20 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 63.4% expected score (6 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 51.5% expected score (32 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 72.3% expected score (3 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 52.8% expected score (17 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Ruy Lopez
51.9%
Variations (5)
Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense
55.9%
Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense, Alapin Gambit
53.0%
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense
49.9%
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anderssen Variation
48.6%
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Berlin Wall
12.2%
Analyze Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation win rate?

The Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation has a 53.9% (90% CI: 46.5%-61.3%) win rate for white, based on 120 rated games from Lichess.

How sharp is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation?

The Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation has a sharpness score of 95.5 (very decisive), meaning 95.5% of games end decisively. Average game length is 32 moves.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation a good opening?

The Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation is statistically balanced with a 53.9% (90% CI: 46.5%-61.3%) win rate across all ratings. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.