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Analyzer

Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation

487 games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
White Expected Score48.1%Range (90% confident): 44.4% – 51.8%Based on 487 games
0%48.1%100%
Range (90% confident): 44.4% – 51.8%
Outcome Distribution
45.1%5.8%49.0%
Win
Draw
Loss
7.d5
Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation
Analyzen=487
Avg Length34 moves
Sharpness94%
Draw Rate5.8%

What is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation has a 48.1% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 44.4% and 51.8%), based on 487 Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 64% → 71%

1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1200-1399: 63.6% win rate (4 games)
  • 1400-1599: 64.7% win rate (7 games)
  • 1600-1799: 50.7% win rate (33 games)
  • 1800-1999: 47.8% win rate (123 games)
  • 2000-2199: 40.1% win rate (182 games)
  • 2200-2499: 44.7% win rate (136 games)
  • 2500+: 71.4% win rate (2 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Blitz (46%), worst in Rapid (40%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid

  • Bullet: 44.4% win rate (74 games)
  • Blitz: 46.0% win rate (363 games)
  • Rapid: 39.8% win rate (50 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

  • 1200-1399 rating, Bullet: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Blitz: 30.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1200-1399 rating, Rapid: 78.6% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 61.2% expected score (3 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 78.6% expected score (2 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 73.1% expected score (5 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 53.8% expected score (25 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 32.9% expected score (19 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 55.5% expected score (90 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 30.7% expected score (14 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 38.9% expected score (21 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 44.2% expected score (144 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 41.9% expected score (17 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 48.0% expected score (23 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 50.5% expected score (101 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 42.6% expected score (12 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 78.6% expected score (2 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: Open, Richter Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation win rate?

The Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation has a 45.1% (90% CI: 41.4%-48.8%) win rate for white, based on 487 rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation perform best?

The Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation performs best at 1800-1999 Elo with a 47.8% win rate for white (123 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Blitz (46.0%) outperforms Rapid (39.8%) by 6.2%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation?

The Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation has a sharpness score of 94.2 (decisive), meaning 94.2% of games end decisively. Average game length is 34 moves.

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

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation has a 47.8% (90% CI: 40.5%-55.1%) win rate for white, based on 123 Lichess games. Average game length is 29 moves with a 2.0% draw rate.

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

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation has a 40.1% (90% CI: 34.2%-46.1%) win rate for white, based on 182 Lichess games. Average game length is 34 moves with a 6.3% draw rate.

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

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation has a 44.7% (90% CI: 37.8%-51.7%) win rate for white, based on 136 Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 9.1% draw rate.

What is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation has a 46.0% (90% CI: 41.7%-50.3%) win rate for white (363 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.7%.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation a good opening?

The Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation is slightly favors black with a 45.1% (90% CI: 41.4%-48.8%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 1800-1999 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.