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Analyzer

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation

618 games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Playable
White Expected Score53.1%Range (90% confident): 49.8% – 56.4%Based on 618 games
0%53.1%100%
Range (90% confident): 49.8% – 56.4%
Outcome Distribution
49.6%6.9%43.5%
Win
Draw
Loss
11.a4
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation
Analyzen=618
Avg Length41 moves
Sharpness93%
Draw Rate6.9%

What is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation has a 53.1% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 49.8% and 56.4%), based on 618 Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 58% → 35%

1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1400-1599: 57.9% win rate (8 games)
  • 1600-1799: 42.5% win rate (35 games)
  • 1800-1999: 44.2% win rate (131 games)
  • 2000-2199: 54.3% win rate (215 games)
  • 2200-2499: 53.0% win rate (175 games)
  • 2500+: 35.1% win rate (54 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Classical (69%), worst in Bullet (48%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 47.7% win rate (73 games)
  • Blitz: 49.2% win rate (402 games)
  • Rapid: 50.5% win rate (138 games)
  • Classical: 69.2% win rate (5 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

  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 68.2% expected score (4 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 44.2% expected score (7 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 38.3% expected score (24 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 68.2% expected score (4 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 50.0% expected score (19 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 50.6% expected score (91 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 32.3% expected score (21 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 46.8% expected score (14 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 57.7% expected score (129 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 52.9% expected score (68 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 68.2% expected score (4 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 71.3% expected score (22 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 50.8% expected score (120 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 64.5% expected score (33 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 45.3% expected score (9 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 51.4% expected score (34 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 54.0% expected score (11 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: Closed, Balla Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation win rate?

The Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation has a 49.6% (90% CI: 46.3%-52.9%) win rate for white, based on 618 rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation perform best?

The Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation performs best at 2000-2199 Elo with a 54.3% win rate for white (215 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz (49.2%) outperforms Bullet (47.7%) by 1.5%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation?

The Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation has a sharpness score of 93.1 (decisive), meaning 93.1% of games end decisively. Average game length is 41 moves.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation has a 44.2% (90% CI: 37.1%-51.3%) win rate for white, based on 131 Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 6.4% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation has a 54.3% (90% CI: 48.7%-59.8%) win rate for white, based on 215 Lichess games. Average game length is 39 moves with a 3.0% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation has a 53.0% (90% CI: 46.8%-59.1%) win rate for white, based on 175 Lichess games. Average game length is 41 moves with a 6.5% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation has a 49.2% (90% CI: 45.1%-53.3%) win rate for white (402 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.6%.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation win rate in Rapid?

In Rapid games, the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation has a 50.5% (90% CI: 43.6%-57.5%) win rate for white (138 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.1%.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation a good opening?

The Ruy Lopez: Closed, Balla Variation is statistically balanced with a 49.6% (90% CI: 46.3%-52.9%) 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.