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Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit

13K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
Black Expected Score50.4%Range (90% confident): 49.6% – 51.1%Based on 13K games
0%50.4%100%
Range (90% confident): 49.6% – 51.1%
Outcome Distribution
48.3%4.1%47.6%
Win
Draw
Loss
4...f5
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit
Analyzen=13K
Avg Length31 moves
Sharpness96%
Draw Rate4.1%

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 50.4% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 49.6% and 51.1%), based on 13K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Gambit BreakpointBlack

Peak: +1.9% · Breakpoint: 0-999

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 48% → 43%

0
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 0-999: 48.4% win rate (107 games)
  • 1000-1199: 46.5% win rate (260 games)
  • 1200-1399: 46.8% win rate (591 games)
  • 1400-1599: 46.3% win rate (986 games)
  • 1600-1799: 49.1% win rate (1,446 games)
  • 1800-1999: 50.8% win rate (2,343 games)
  • 2000-2199: 49.5% win rate (3,200 games)
  • 2200-2499: 47.5% win rate (3,209 games)
  • 2500+: 43.1% win rate (929 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Similar across time controls (~49%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 48.1% win rate (4,374 games)
  • Blitz: 48.7% win rate (7,166 games)
  • Rapid: 47.2% win rate (1,490 games)
  • Classical: 45.9% win rate (41 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

  • 0-999 rating, Bullet: 51.2% expected score (41 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Blitz: 49.2% expected score (61 games)
  • 0-999 rating, Rapid: 42.4% expected score (5 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Bullet: 49.4% expected score (79 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Blitz: 48.7% expected score (149 games)
  • 1000-1199 rating, Rapid: 41.1% expected score (32 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 49.4% expected score (158 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 47.0% expected score (330 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (100 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Classical: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 54.0% expected score (264 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 46.1% expected score (541 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 42.4% expected score (176 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 27.0% expected score (5 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 48.3% expected score (401 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 51.8% expected score (795 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 47.1% expected score (235 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Classical: 62.2% expected score (15 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 50.1% expected score (577 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 53.3% expected score (1,403 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 53.1% expected score (355 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 44.7% expected score (8 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 49.7% expected score (1,187 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 52.8% expected score (1,603 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 51.9% expected score (404 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (6 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 49.3% expected score (996 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 51.7% expected score (2,035 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 48.9% expected score (175 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 61.2% expected score (3 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 46.3% expected score (671 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 43.0% expected score (249 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 18.5% expected score (8 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (1 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: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate?

The Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 47.6% (90% CI: 46.9%-48.4%) win rate for white, based on 13K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit perform best?

The Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 52.9% win rate for white (929 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (49.6%) outperforms Blitz (46.2%) by 3.4%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit?

The Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a sharpness score of 95.9 (very decisive), meaning 95.9% of games end decisively. Average game length is 31 moves.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate at 0-999 Elo?

At 0-999 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 49.3% (90% CI: 41.5%-57.2%) win rate for white, based on 107 Lichess games. Average game length is 24 moves with a 2.3% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate at 1000-1199 Elo?

At 1000-1199 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 50.7% (90% CI: 45.6%-55.7%) win rate for white, based on 260 Lichess games. Average game length is 26 moves with a 2.9% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate at 1200-1399 Elo?

At 1200-1399 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 50.7% (90% CI: 47.3%-54.1%) win rate for white, based on 591 Lichess games. Average game length is 27 moves with a 2.4% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate at 1400-1599 Elo?

At 1400-1599 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 51.6% (90% CI: 49.0%-54.2%) win rate for white, based on 986 Lichess games. Average game length is 28 moves with a 2.1% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate at 1600-1799 Elo?

At 1600-1799 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 48.8% (90% CI: 46.6%-51.0%) win rate for white, based on 1.4K Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 2.1% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 46.0% (90% CI: 44.3%-47.7%) win rate for white, based on 2.3K Lichess games. Average game length is 31 moves with a 3.3% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 46.5% (90% CI: 45.0%-47.9%) win rate for white, based on 3.2K Lichess games. Average game length is 32 moves with a 4.1% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 45.8% (90% CI: 44.4%-47.3%) win rate for white, based on 3.2K Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 6.7% draw rate.

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

At 2500+ Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 52.9% (90% CI: 50.2%-55.6%) win rate for white, based on 929 Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 3.9% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 49.6% (90% CI: 48.4%-50.9%) win rate for white (4.4K Lichess games). Draw rate is 2.3%.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 46.2% (90% CI: 45.2%-47.2%) win rate for white (7.2K Lichess games). Draw rate is 5.1%.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit has a 48.6% (90% CI: 46.5%-50.8%) win rate for white (1.5K Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.1%.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit a good opening?

The Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit is statistically balanced with a 47.6% (90% CI: 46.9%-48.4%) 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.